“Why is it, a growing number of people are asking, that anyone can download medical nonsense from the Web for free, but citizens must pay to see the results of carefully conducted biomedical research that was financed by the taxes. The Public Library of Sciences aims to change that.” - Rick Weiss, Washington Post, 5 August 2003

“It is now possible to share the results of medical research with anyone, anywhere, who could benefit from it. How could we not do it?” - Harold Varmus, PLoS Co-founder

PLoS Medicine Open-access, high-quality, modern, broad, international Now accepting submissions Launch Fall 2004 An open-access alternative to the existing general medical journals--and more In PubMed from day one, freely available online, widely distributed in print

Open access to medical research Who should see your published study? Physicians Researchers Health policy makers Medical educators Patients and their families Patient advocates Health care providers Anywhere around the world.

PLoS Medicine: Call for Papers Significant advances in all disciplines, including epidemiology and public health Important steps from basic understanding of human health and disease to definitive evidence and practical implementation Original research, expert commentary, discussion in the context of global health Rigorous peer-review, rapid publication online and in print Accepting submissions now; launch fall

PLoS Medicine: Call for Action Submit your best work to PLoS Medicine Tell us about research by others that you think is suitable for PLoS Medicine Tell your colleagues about open access and PLoS Medicine Invite us to talk at your institution or conference Share your ideas and help us create a journal for your community For information and materials, visit:

There are many inequalities in medicine and health care. Access to the latest peer-reviewed research results doesn’t have to be one of them. Work with us. Virginia Barbour Barbara Gavin