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The Lancet began as an independent, international weekly general medical journal founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakley. Since its first issue (October 5, 1823), the journal has strived to make science widely available so that medicine can serve, and transform society, and positively impact the lives of people.
Over the past two centuries, The Lancet has sought to address urgent topics in our society, initiate debate, put science into context, and influence decision makers around the world.
The Lancet has evolved as a family of journals (across Child & Adolescent Health, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Digital Health, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Global Health, Haematology, HIV, Infectious Diseases, Neurology, Oncology, Planetary Health, Psychiatry, Public Health, Respiratory Medicine, Biomedicine, Clinical Medicine), but retains at its core the belief that medicine must serve society, that knowledge must transform society, that the best science must lead to better lives.
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Highest standards for medical science
The Lancet sets extremely high standards. We select only the best research papers for their quality of work and the progression they bring.
Improving lives is the only end goal
Too much research is done for research’s sake. We believe that improving lives is the only end goal and that research is only relevant when it has impact on human lives.
Increasing the social impact of science
We recognise that a great research paper is not enough and that it requires development, mobilisation, and exposure. So we promise to set agendas, create context, inform leaders, start debates, and advocate for the idea that research can and will make a difference.
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- About The Lancet
- About The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
- About The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
- About The Lancet Digital Health
- About The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- About The Lancet Global Health
- About The Lancet Haematology
- About The Lancet HIV
- About The Lancet Infectious Diseases
- About The Lancet Microbe
- About The Lancet Neurology
- About The Lancet Oncology
- About The Lancet Planetary Health
- About The Lancet Psychiatry
- About The Lancet Public Health
- About The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific
- About The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
- About The Lancet Rheumatology
- About EBioMedicine
- About EClinicalMedicine
- People at the Lancet
- Access to content on the Lancet.com
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): The Lancet journals follow the COPE Code of Conduct
- The Lancet Group's Diversity Pledge and No All-Male Panel Policy: read the pledge and commitment from all Lancet journals.