Reports and Publications

Reports and publications from the Surgeon General are widely respected for their evidence-based approach to our nation’s most urgent public health issues. These influential documents bring together the expertise of scientific, medical, and public health professionals nationwide on a wide variety of topics, from the opioid and e-cigarette crises to disease prevention, breastfeeding, and oral health.

Surgeon General reports are comprehensive scientific review documents prepared by experts on behalf of the Surgeon General. They are often landmark publications that identify and shape the science and culture of our public health. Calls to action are science-based summary documents intended to stimulate action on urgent public health problems. Surgeon General’s advisories are public statements of recommendations on public health issues.

As part of its Profiles in Science project, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has digitized and made available numerous documents of the Surgeon General published prior to 2000. The collection includes reports, proceedings, background papers, photographs, and other ephemera of historical interest. In addition, selected documents from 2001 to the present are available as full text in NLM's Health Services Technology Assessment Texts system.

Reports of the Surgeon General on the adverse health consequences of smoking triggered nationwide efforts to prevent tobacco use. Reports and other publications on HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use disorders, nutrition, and violence—to name but a few—have heightened America's awareness and focused action on critical public health issues, and continue to generate major public health initiatives.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Addiction

Addiction & Substance Misuse

Alcohol, opioid, and other kinds of substance abuse are major public health challenges that are taking an enormous toll on our society. Learn what the Surgeon General is doing about addiction and substance misuse in America.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Tobacco

Tobacco

Preventing smoking and the use of e-cigarettes by young people is critical to ending the scourge of tobacco. Explore a wide range of publications on how we can protect all Americans from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a problem that touches the lives of many Americans. Find out how the Surgeon General is drawing on experts across the nation to facilitate the prevention of suicide and related problems.

Community Health and Economic Prosperity

Many of our health problems result from inadequate investment in communities and unequal economic opportunities. Find out ways business can help improve American health and prosperity.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Disease Prevention and Wellness

Disease Prevention and Wellness

Surgeon General publications on disease prevention and wellness cover a wide range of topics. Read about the remarkable progress that has been made toward improving wellness in the U.S. and preventing disease before it starts.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Mental Health

Mental Health

Mental health issues affect us all, either directly or through the people we love. Learn how the Surgeon General is building public awareness of the importance of mental health to overall well-being.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Violence

Violence

Youth violence is a problem that affects our entire nation, not just inner cities or any single segment of our society. Find out how the Office of the Surgeon General is applying the science of public health to the treatment and prevention of youth violence.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Oral Health

Oral Health

Surgeon General publications are raising the visibility of the “silent epidemic” of oral diseases that affect our most vulnerable citizens. Read how policymakers, community leaders, and health professionals are taking action to prevent and treat oral diseases.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Physical Activity and Nutrition

Physical Activity and Nutrition

The Office of the Surgeon General has called on all Americans to balance healthful eating with regular physical activity. Explore publications on how we can become a nation that is both healthy and fit.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., and most cases are preventable. Learn how the Office of the Surgeon General is working with partners across the nation to address skin cancer as a major, avoidable public health problem.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant. Find out what the Office of the Surgeon General is doing to give mothers the support they need to make breastfeeding their first choice for infant nutrition.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Healthy Homes

Healthy Homes

Read publications that outline the Office of the Surgeon General’s comprehensive, coordinated plan for ensuring the availability of healthy, safe, affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly homes.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Prevention of Pre-term Birth

Prevention of Pre-term Birth

Learn how the Office of the Surgeon General is increasing awareness of the causes of preterm labor and delivery and establishing an agenda to mitigate this public health problem.

OSG - Reports and Publications: Health Literacy

Health Literacy

Health literacy is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making informed decisions about health care. Explore publications on the importance of ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to read, understand, and act on health information.

Public Health Reports

Published since 1878, Public Health Reports (PHR) is the official journal of the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service. Read PHR’s peer-reviewed articles and Surgeon General’s Perspectives on important national public health issues.

Content created by Office of the Surgeon General
Content last reviewed on January 21, 2021