Office of the US Surgeon General Publications, 2001-2025: A Descriptive Analysis

Since the release of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health in 1964, the Office of the US Surgeon General (OSG) has shaped public health priorities in the United States through reports, advisories, and calls to action. This study presents a descriptive analysis of all 49 OSG publications produced from 2001 through 2025, with a focus on recurring topics and changes over time in the frequency of studied topics. Our purpose includes examining potential areas of topical overlap between the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy and past federal health priorities. By categorizing reports by content, type, organizational partners, and time period, and by comparing findings with the MAHA strategy, this review highlights the evolving role of the OSG in addressing long-standing and emerging health threats-from tobacco control and prevention of chronic diseases to diverse aspects of mental health, including substance abuse and suicide prevention. This summary of scientific communications from the OSG offers public health professionals and academics insight into past and current federal policy priorities.