Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

History[edit | edit source]

The CDC was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center by the United States Public Health Service. Its initial focus was on controlling malaria, which was prevalent in the southern United States during World War II. Over time, the CDC's focus broadened to include other communicable diseases and eventually all aspects of public health.

Role and Function[edit | edit source]

The CDC conducts research and provides information on a wide range of health topics, including infectious diseases, foodborne pathogens, environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, prevention of chronic diseases, and injury prevention. It also provides technical assistance to health departments and other organizations, and coordinates public health emergency responses.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The CDC is organized into "Centers, Institutes, and Offices" (CIOs), each of which is responsible for a particular area of public health. These include the National Center for Infectious Diseases, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Criticism and Controversy[edit | edit source]

The CDC has faced criticism and controversy over its handling of various public health crises, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, the 2001 anthrax attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.