Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
 (Weekly)

Instructions for Contributors

Contents
I. Criteria for Publication
II. Publication of the Report
III. Standards for Writing
IV. Submission Format and Structure
V. Clearance
VI. Submitting the Report
VII. Review
VIII. Production
IX. Notices to Readers
X. Errata
XI. Contact Information

I. Criteria for Publication

III. Standards for Writing

A. Report preparation

1. Text. For word processing, use MS Word. Maximum length of reports is 1400 words (excluding title, credits, references, tables, and figures), unless otherwise indicated. Double-space text, including references and footnotes. Indent paragraphs; leave no extra space between paragraphs. After a period, leave only one space before beginning the next sentence. Use 12-point Times New Roman font. Italicize (rather than underline) scientific names when needed.
2. Credits (i.e., "Reported by" section). See MMWR contributor attribution policy.
3. References. Cite <10 references, unless otherwise indicated. Follow Style of Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals. Place reference numbers in parentheses and italicize. Do not use the "endnotes" function of the word-processing program. Number references within text in order of appearance, then list in numeric order at end of report. Consult List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus for accepted journal abbreviations; if a journal is not listed, spell out the journal title in full. Cite "personal communication" and "unpublished data" in parentheses in text.
4. Acknowledgments. See MMWR contributor attribution policy.
5. Tables and Figures. Include when tables and figures are necessary to clarify or enhance the text. Photographs that illustrate an outbreak setting, risk factor, or prevention intervention are encouraged. 
   TABLES: created in WordPerfect or Word table function. WordPerfect tables must not have tabs or extra spaces within the cells. Tables should be sent in separate files and not embedded in text.
   FIGURES: created in (NOT PASTED INTO) Corel Draw, PowerPoint, Freelance graphics, or vector format files (such as .cdr, .cgm, .eps, and .wmf). No other formats will be accepted. With bar or line graphs, include data in tabular form. Use of color is accepted. Figures should be sent in separate files and not embedded in text. Figures, symbols, lettering, and numbering should be clear and large enough to remain legible when reduced. Place keys/legends within the figure.
6. Footnotes. Use the following footnotes in order of appearance: *; †; §; ¶; **; ††; §§; ¶¶, and so on.

A. Full MMWR Reports

Full MMWR (Weekly) reports are structured as follows:

1. Introduction: one paragraph comprising background, problem, objectives of analysis, purpose statement, methods used, summary of the key findings, and summary of the public health actions to follow (e.g., research, surveillance, and interventions).
2. Methods: one to two paragraphs comprising source of data; type of study; time period; types of specimens taken; participant and statistical selection; tests performed (e.g., serology, culture, or toxicology); case definition; surveillance/survey design; and statistical information, as appropriate.
3. Results or findings: one to two paragraphs comprising signs and symptoms; duration of illness; descriptive and analytic epidemiology; disease trends and mortality rates; treatment; outcome; and relevant laboratory and other values, as appropriate.
4. Actions taken or proposed: one paragraph describing control measures and other interventions and policy implications.
5. Reported by section: See MMWR contributor attribution policy.
6. Editorial Note: two to four paragraphs comprising the interpretation of key findings; limitations/biases of methods and findings; implications of findings for use in public health practice (i.e., public health application); and prevention and control recommendations, as appropriate.
7. Acknowledgments: See MMWR contributor attribution policy.

8. Unless otherwise indicated, maximum length of report is 1400 words (excluding title, credits, references, tables, and figures).

B. Brief Reports

Brief Reports describe ongoing or recently completed (within the previous 90 days) investigations or evaluations conducted by CDC, state and local health departments, and other public health or safety agencies. Findings do not need interpretation (i.e., Editorial Note). A brief report is structured as follows:

1. Nature of problem, including public health implications, if applicable.
2. Clinical and/or laboratory features.
3. Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations.
4. Outcome and/or resolution.
5. Public health action.
6. Current status of investigation.
7. Credits and acknowledgments: See MMWR contributor attribution policy.
8. Cite no more than three references.
9. No more than one figure or table.
10. Maximum length is 750 words.

C. Expedited Reports (updated March 3, 2008)

MMWR has the capability to publish reports rapidly (i.e., within hours) in electronic form. Expedited MMWR reports are categorized as either Dispatches or Early Releases. Dispatches and Early Releases can be published in any of the MMWR Weekly formats (i.e., a Full Report, a Brief Report, a Notice to Readers, or an Erratum). In general, an MMWR Dispatch is issued when, in the judgment of the MMWR Editor after consultation with the authors, a need exists to advise MMWR readers rapidly (i.e., within hours) of a substantial and acute public health problem that is requiring urgent action. An Early Release is issued when, in the judgment of the Editor after consultation with the authors, some other compelling reason exists to publish a report ahead of the regular weekly schedule.

MMWR Dispatches are published electronically on a 24-hour, 7-day basis as soon after submission as possible. To accommodate MMWR production schedules, the publication of Early Releases is subject to rules restricting when Early Releases can be published (e.g., Early Releases are not published after 6 PM or on Fridays, weekend days, or holidays). Authors who wish to submit reports as Early Releases should contact MMWR for complete information on applicable rules.

All expedited reports are subject to these Instructions for Contributors, and all must be accepted for publication by the Editor. MMWR reserves the prerogative to give priority to the publication of expedited reports, and these reports can displace other pending reports. Authors who wish to publish an expedited report in MMWR should, as early in the writing process as possible, contact the Editor or the Managing Editor, MMWR.

D. Achievements in Public Health

These special reports highlight sustained and measurable advances in public health that contributed to reducing major causes of morbidity and mortality. MMWR publishes no more than two per year. Maximum length is 2200 words, excluding title, credits, references, figures, and tables. These reports do not require an Editorial Note. Cite <25 references.

V. Clearance

A. Before submitting for publication, reports must receive clearance from the following:

1. All contributors and their organizations(s).
2. Local and state health departments involved in the investigation or analysis, including state epidemiologists. 
3. Branch, division, and center at CDC that has programmatic responsibility of the report’s topic or expertise in the report’s scientific methods.
4. Other federal agencies, private-sector organizations, international health agencies, ministries of health, and others, as appropriate.
5. Other centers at CDC with subject matter or programmatic interest in the report. 
6. Human subjects review board, as appropriate.

B. MMWR publishes reports that are reviewed and cleared fully.

1. Submit the report to mmwreditors@cdc.gov. Send all text, tables, and figures as separate attachments.
2. Provide name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of primary contributor or contact and a back-up contact. 
3. Fax clearance information to the Managing Editor at 404-498-2389.

A. MMWR staff will confirm receipt of the report by telephone or e-mail.
B. MMWR staff will promptly review, with the possible assistance of subject experts, each submitted report and
     1. Accept it and enter it into the editing and production cycle;
     2. Tentatively accept it pending revision;
     3. Return it for revision and subsequent reconsideration; or
     4. Reject the submission.
C. Only accepted reports will be assigned a publication date.
D. During editing and production, MMWR staff will review reports, as appropriate, with additional CDC programs, including the offices of Global Health, Communications, Minority Health, and General Counsel; the Associate Director for Science; and the Deputy Director for Science and Public Health.
E. If deemed necessary, MMWR will solicit review of the report by other federal agencies (e.g., Food and Drug Administration).

A. Accepted reports are typically published within 21 business days from date of acceptance.
B. At least one originating contributor must participate in production and be available by telephone, fax, or e-mail during this time.
C. At least one contributor must be available the day before and the day of print publication to respond to news media inquiries. CDC staff should contact CDC’s Office of Communications or the center’s communications office for additional information. On the basis of organization policies, contributors from other organizations should contact their media relations staff.

Errata are published as soon as possible after the need for such has been brought to the attention of MMWR staff.

1. Address: Editor (or Managing Editor) MMWR Office, Mailstop E-90, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30333.
2. Editor, Frederic E. Shaw, MD, JD; e-mail FShaw@cdc.gov;
   telephone: 404-498-6364; fax: 404-498-2389.
3. Acting Managing Editor, Teresa Rutledge; e-mail TRutledge@cdc.gov;
   telephone: 404-498-2371; fax: 404-498-2389.
4. Electronic MMWR: mmwrq@cdc.gov (MMWR Questions mailbox); mmwreditors@cdc.gov (MMWR Editors inbox).

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