Mission of the Office of the Surgeon General

The mission of the U.S. Surgeon General is to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our nation. As the nation’s doctor and a leader of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the Surgeon General achieves this mission by:

• Communicating the best available scientific information to the public, to reach individuals where they live, work, and play
• Leveraging government, business, law enforcement, and community resources to address important public health issues such as the opioid and e-cigarette epidemics
• Raising awareness about health threats to the readiness and resiliency of our military communities
• Stimulating action nationwide on public health issues by delivering programs on public health promotion and disease prevention
• Developing strategies for advancing public health science
• Providing leadership and excellence in public health practices