A. Full Reports: These are summaries of data or the findings of original epidemiologic studies of military health importance. Authors should refer to previously published reports as a guideline for style and format.
1. Title: Brief and descriptive. A title page is not necessary.
2. Authors: Authors are individuals who make substantive contributions to the report and qualify for authorship credit according to ICMJE guidelines. For each author, list first name, middle initial, last name, highest academic degree(s), military rank and service. Examples: John Snow, MD, MPH (COL, USA, Ret.); Mary L. Archer, MD (LCDR, USN). If an author holds two doctoral degrees (e.g., MD and PhD), either or both may be used, in the order preferred by the author. List academic degrees below the highest degree held only when they represent a specialized field or a field different from that represented by the highest degree held (e.g., MPH, BSN).
3. Military Relevance: The MSMR aims to disseminate actionable medical surveillance information to military commanders in addition to their surgeons and medical staffs to enhance health, fitness, and readiness. As such, authors are asked to summarize what is novel about their findings and to describe how the findings can inform decisions and actions in support of readiness and force health protection.
What are the new findings? Please describe in plain English what are the findings of the analysis/report that either are new or provide needed confirmation of earlier reports, in 50 words or less. See MSMR November 2018 – Volume 25 / 11 for examples.
What is the impact on readiness and force health protection? Describe in 50 words or less and in plain English how the findings can be applied to decisions or actions on behalf of military operational readiness and/or force health protection. For examples, see MSMR November 2018 – Volume 25 / 11.
4. Abstract: Provide an unstructured abstract (no labeled sections) summarizing the report, with a focus on the main findings. Maximum 175 words.
5. Background: Introductory paragraphs should set the context (e.g., brief relevant literature review) and describe the relevance to U.S. military populations or operations. The last sentence(s) of the background section should state the objective or specific question(s) the report aims to answer.
6. Methods: As appropriate, specify the target population, time period, definitions, exposures, outcomes or endpoints, other characteristics of interest, the sources and methods of data collection, and approaches to data summarization and statistical analyses.
7. Results: Summarize the findings and results of analyses. Tables and graphs that clarify the results are encouraged. The Results narrative need not repeat numerical data already presented in tables and graphs except to emphasize important observations.
8. Editorial Comment: All authors must include editorial comments for consideration for publication. Editorial comments should put the main findings of the report into broader military/general public health contexts; specify limitations (e.g., shortcomings of data sources, sources of bias); and state ramifications of findings in terms of current or desirable future policies and practices.
9. Author Affiliations: List current assignment/affiliation of each author. Example: U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt (LCDR Archer); Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr. Snow, Dr. Smith, Dr. Jones).
10. Acknowledgements (optional): Recognize contributors who do not qualify as authors.
11. References: List references using AMA style (see examples). When listing articles with more than six authors, include three author names followed by "et al." Use journal title abbreviations as shown in PubMed and italicize them. Do not include URLs for references that are indexed in PubMed.
B. Brief Reports: These are similar to full reports but are less than 1,000 words in length. Brief reports should be structured in the same manner as full reports. An abstract is not required.
C. Outbreak Reports should include all of the sections listed above under "full reports." They may also include additional sections such as: Setting (follows the background and describes of the outbreak setting), Countermeasures (follows the results and describes actions taken to prevent continuation or spread of the outbreak). Example
D. Case Reports are brief descriptions of a case with an Editorial comment. Example
E. Surveillance Snapshots typically consist of a single chart with a caption or legend. They may also include 1-2 paragraphs of text. Example
F. Historical Snapshots describe events or persons that have shaped the history of military public health. They should include photographs or other images. Example
G. Historical Perspectives summarize the historical impact of a disease or condition on a specific military operation or the military overall. Example
H. Notice to Readers: Scientific notices to readers describe changes in recommended public health practices (e.g., vaccine recommendations) or the availability of clinical or surveillance resources (e.g., laboratory testing). The MSMR does not publish meeting announcements or summaries of past meetings. Example
I. Images in Health Surveillance are photographs, drawings or other images that depict militarily relevant public health information. Example
J. Editorials are usually invited, but may be proposed. Example
K. Other article types may be proposed in an email to the editor.