New beginnings

It is with great delight that I welcome you to the inaugural issue of the Global Wound Care Journal (GWCJ), which is the official publication of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Founded in Australia in 2000, WUWHS is the premier wound care professional association, representing more than 90% of all practicing wound care specialists in the world. The association encourages a global approach to education with the GWCJ ideally placed to deliver on this pledge.

The journal launch also comes with a deep sense of responsibility as we see the GWCJ as a truly global platform dedicated to advancing the science, education and interdisciplinary collaboration that define modern wound care. In these pages, we aim to foster knowledge sharing that transcends borders and elevates the standard of care for patients around the world.

The burden of wounds — both acute and chronic — is a universal concern. From diabetic foot ulcers in urban centres to traumatic injuries in conflict zones, wounds compromise quality of life, demand extensive healthcare resources and pose persistent clinical challenges. Yet, despite the ubiquity of wounds and their devastating consequences, the field of wound care remains unevenly resourced, inconsistently researched, and often fragmented by discipline and geography. The GWCJ was conceived as a response to these gaps: a unifying voice for a global community committed to healing wounds.

The WUWHS has long championed a vision of equitable wound care across all regions. Through congresses, education and advocacy, the association has brought together professionals from diverse disciplines — nursing, surgery, podiatry, dermatology, basic science and more. This journal now becomes an essential extension of that mission, offering a permanent, peer-reviewed home for the latest in wound care research, clinical innovation, policy perspectives and educational strategies.

What distinguishes GWCJ is not just its scope but its purpose. Our editorial mission is grounded in three core principles: scientific rigour, inclusivity and relevance. We are committed to publishing high-quality, evidence-based research that informs practice and improves outcomes. But we are equally dedicated to amplifying voices from underrepresented regions and disciplines, ensuring that the journal reflects the true diversity of the global wound care community.

Relevance, too, remains paramount. The journal will feature content that addresses not only advanced technologies and treatments, but also context-appropriate strategies for resource-limited settings, cultural factors in care and system-level challenges that affect wound prevention and healing.

Our first issue showcases this vision. Readers will find original research on autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrices in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, the use of DACC-coated wound dressings in the reduction of surgical site infection, the knowledge of nurses on pressure injury prevention and the Meek micrografting technique, as well as an overview of the Train the Foot Healthcare Professional programme, a look at the use of statistics and a regional overview of the WUWHS’s work in the Asia Pacific region.

The launch of GWCJ also comes at a time of rapid change. Technological innovation, including artificial intelligence, digital imaging and telemedicine, is reshaping how wounds are assessed and managed. Meanwhile, climate change, migration and ageing populations are altering the global wound landscape. These shifts demand new research, new models of care and new platforms for dialogue — and our journal is committed to being at the forefront of these conversations.

To our authors, reviewers and readers: we thank you for joining us at the outset of this journey. Your engagement will shape not only the quality of this journal but also its role in improving care for millions living with wounds. We encourage you to submit your work, critique what you read and share the insights you gain. This journal belongs to the global wound care community, and its success will be a reflection of our collective passion and purpose.

The GWCJ is open for submissions. There are no fees involved with submitting papers and all articles will be free to access, reaffirming our commitment to free wound care education for clinicians all over the globe. We welcome original papers from all healthcare professionals involved in wound management including, medical staff, nurses, podiatrists, pharmacists, microbiologists, physiotherapists, radiotherapists, radiographers, oncologists, occupational therapists, and postgraduate students (including PhD scholars) and academics.