IJHPR comes of age

The Israel Journal of Health Policy Research (IJHPR) is about to complete its third year of publication. Over the past year, the journal received its first impact factor, three of its articles crossed the 10,000 accesses threshold, submissions increased by 50%, and the journal published its fifth article collection. These accomplishments are due to the combined efforts of the National Institute of Health Policy and its leadership team, IJHPR's editorial board, our publisher BioMed Central, and the journal's authors, commentators and reviewers from Israel and around the world. In Jewish tradition, the transition from a new endeavor's third year to its fourth year is full of significance, reflecting a phase transition in terms of maturity and stability. After 3 years of publication, IJHPR is also in the process of moving into a new phase; a more mature phase, with greater stability and a firmer place in the professional literature. We hope that this stability can be used as a springboard for further innovation, experimentation and growth.