The Harvard Health Letter was launched in 1975 under Harvard University's Harvard Health Publications. Today, total circulation of the Harvard Health Publications newsletters exceeds 650,000.

Harvard Health Publications expanded into mass market book publishing about 10 years ago. In cooperation with Simon & Schuster and McGraw-Hill, it publishes 25+ titles, including The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, and launches about eight new books annually.

Harvard Health Publications also maintains a premium access, membership library at health.harvard.edu and a searchable database for all of its newspaper articles, magazines, books, newsletters and special reports.

Harvard Health Publications’ website is a single portal for all of its publications. An informative interview with Ed Coburn, Publishing Director, Harvard Health Publications, provided valuable insights into a profitable business model whose highest priority isn't profits.

This chapter is part of a handbook titled Multiplatform Publishing Strategy.

• Handbook: Multiplatform Publishing Strategy
• Chapter 9: Harvard Medical School Mequoda Media Brand Study