Opposite the Editorial Page: Introducing a New Feature in The Milbank Quarterly

Although they will cover different topics, each of The Milbank Quarterly's contributing writers brings two things to our op-ed pages: an expertise that is strictly defined as a combination of population health research excellence and credentials as a health policymaker or policy adviser and the ability to write in an engaging and thought-provoking fashion.When uttering the term "op-ed," we might immediately think of the famed op-ed section of The New York Times, which has often been referred to as the most valuable piece of real estate in American journalism.Yet even this vitally important page, one that graces the breakfast tables, computer screens, and electronic devices of a wide swath of informed and inquisitive readers, is a relatively new wrinkle in the storied history of the "Gray Lady."The op-ed section's first appearance was in the September 21, 1970, issue. 1 That morning, the editors clearly stated their mission, and it is one worth taking to heart as we launch our own op-ed section: "We hope that a contribution may be made toward stimulating new thought and provoking new discussion on our public problems."2