In response to "Is Subscribe to Open Good for Libraries?" Three librarians explain the model’s appeal and explore the challenges it presents. By Laurie Taylor, Miranda Bennett and Katherine Brooks | 02.17.2026

At JMIR Publications, we believe that the true value of scientific discovery lies in its ability to improve lives. Our commitment to Open Access (OA) isn’t just about making papers free to read; it’s about ensuring that your insights reach the people who have the power to implement change—the policymakers.

But how exactly does a peer-reviewed article transition from a journal page to a legislative document or a clinical guideline? Recent insights fromOverton [1], one of the platforms available to track the real-world influence of our authors, shed light on the mechanics of policy impact.

The struggle for a full breath is a daily reality for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). While Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is the gold standard for treatment, researchers are constantly looking for ways to push the boundaries of recovery.

The landscape of health care management is undergoing a digital transformation. From the frantic pace of emergency departments to the strategic boardrooms of national health systems, data dashboards are no longer a luxury—they are a clinical necessity. These visual tools are redefining how providers track patient safety, how administrators allocate resources, and how public health officials communicate with the world.

The landscape of medical training is undergoing a seismic shift. From the hallowed halls of traditional lecture centers to the interactive screens of global learning platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, it is a present-day reality. AI is redefining how future doctors learn, how they are assessed, and how they will eventually treat patients.

As the landscape of computational biology continues to evolve, fostering strong ties between specialized societies and high-impact scholarly publishing is essential. We are pleased to announce that both the Editor-in-Chief and I, the Managing Editor of JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, will be presenting a brief talk at the upcoming MCBIOS 2026 conference (March 27–29, 2026, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL). Our talk will focus on a new collaboration and an open call for submissions designed to highlight innovative research in the fields of computational biology, artificial intelligence, and health care innovation.

In the realm of preventative medicine, a one-size-fits-all approach often leaves historically underserved populations behind. For adults who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH), the path to a routine cancer screening is frequently blocked by a complex web of systemic barriers. From the lack of health information available in American Sign Language (ASL) to the recurring struggle of ineffective patient-physician communication, these challenges do more than just cause frustration—they lead to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes.

The transition to Open Access (OA) is no longer a distant goal; it is a rapidly accelerating reality. As we navigate this shift, the ESAC (Efficiency and Standards for Academic Collecting) Initiative is a useful compass, tracking the rise of Transformative Agreements (TAs) globally.

In the digital age, a ratio on social media is more than just a fleeting moment of internet drama, it can be a measurable signal of institutional trust. As global health crises like COVID-19 unfold, the battle for public confidence moves from official press releases to the real-time arena of social platforms. But can we scientifically measure something as complex as popular legitimacy simply by looking at how the world interacts with an organization on X?