Assessing Implementation and Impact of the 4Ms Framework to Advance Age-Friendly Health Systems — Special Theme Issue
Sponsored by The John A. Hartford Foundation
NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery invites manuscripts to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming theme issue on implementation, scaling, and impact of the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) 4Ms Framework. Many health care provider organizations across a range of settings – including hospitals, physician practices, retail pharmacy clinics, nursing homes, home-care providers, and others – are working to improve the health outcomes of older adults, avoid harm, and lower the costs of care. The 4Ms Framework consists of evidence-based practices to meet the unique needs of older adults around What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.
This call for papers seeks submissions that assess real-world implementation of the 4Ms within and across care settings. Papers should demonstrate measurable improvement; show how teams operationalized the reliable practice of the 4Ms; address scale and sustainability, with a particular interest in understanding the business case for the 4Ms; and include clear descriptions of implementation challenges, tradeoffs, and lessons learned that others can apply. Priority will be given to submissions that address all four Ms as a set.
In keeping with our emphasis on practical innovations in care delivery, we seek papers that demonstrate impact for patients and family caregivers, populations, and communities.
Issue date: November 2026
Submissions deadline: June 1, 2026
Components
- In Depth articles, case studies, and expert articles – see the NEJM Catalyst Author Center
for guidelines - A report drawing on a survey from the NEJM Catalyst Insights Council