[Serial publications of the World Health Organization. Scientifico-metric study]

A comprehensive study was carried out on the serial editions of the World Health Organization, European Regional Bureau and of the International Agency of cancer studies for the period 1950-1981. A total of 1060 publications were analyzed concerning the type, quantitative characteristic and their thematic trends. The science-metric analysis revealed that the series "Technical reports" had the longest duration--32 years. A firm increase both of the number of the publications and the series is outlined. Thematically, the publications concerning the organization and management of public health have the greatest relative share. The publications about infectious diseases and the campaign against them are also widely covered as well as the oncologic diseases, nutrition, environmental preservation, psychic diseases, etc. The study revealed that the system for scientific communications of WHO in medicine and public health is an example of collective team scientific work and international character of medical service of modern type--international both as creation and consumption.