Archive Article
Public Health Research

MJPHM Early Archive: Public Health Research From Volume 5, Issue 2 (2005)

Published: Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2005; Volume 5, Issue 2, Pages 50–57

Publisher: Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association

Last reviewed: March 2026

Context: Public Health Research in Malaysia, 2005

The year 2005 was a significant period for public health in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region. The aftermath of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, which affected Malaysia’s northern and western coastlines, had focused international attention on disaster preparedness and mental health responses in the region. Simultaneously, the SARS outbreak of 2003 had heightened awareness of emerging infectious disease threats, catalysing investments in disease surveillance and outbreak response capacity.

Within Malaysia’s domestic public health landscape, 2005 marked continued progress in maternal and child health indicators, with the country’s maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality rate on sustained downward trajectories. However, the epidemiological transition towards non-communicable diseases was accelerating, with rising prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted during this period documented these trends, providing critical data for health policy planning.

MJPHM Volume 5 was published during the journal’s early developmental phase, just four years after its founding in 2001. The articles published during this period reflected the priorities of Malaysian public health researchers and the evolving research capacity of the country’s academic institutions. Research published in MJPHM during 2005 contributed to the evidence base that would inform subsequent health policy decisions, including the implementation of Malaysia’s National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases and health sector reforms.

The MJPHM Research Tradition

Since its establishment, MJPHM has served as a crucial publication platform for Malaysian public health researchers, particularly those working in government health services and university faculties of medicine and public health. The journal has provided an outlet for research that is directly relevant to the Malaysian context—addressing local health challenges, evaluating domestic health programmes, and generating evidence to support health policy formulation.

The early volumes of MJPHM typically featured research conducted in Malaysian government health facilities, covering topics such as communicable disease epidemiology, environmental health assessments, occupational health surveys, and evaluations of primary healthcare delivery. These foundational publications established the research traditions and methodological approaches that continue to characterise the journal’s output.

Accessing Historical MJPHM Content

Historical MJPHM articles, including those from Volume 5 (2005), are accessible through the journal’s online platform. Researchers and readers may also access MJPHM content through academic databases and institutional library subscriptions. As an open-access journal, MJPHM makes its content freely available under Creative Commons licensing, ensuring that the research it publishes contributes to the global knowledge commons in public health.

For researchers interested in the evolution of public health research in Malaysia, the MJPHM archive provides a valuable longitudinal perspective. Tracking research themes across volumes reveals shifting health priorities, methodological advances, and the expanding scope of public health research in the country.