Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centres 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, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The CDC is a leading national public health institute and a key component of the U.S. Public Health Service.

History

The CDC was founded in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center, with a primary mission to combat malaria by eradicating mosquitoes. Over the years, its scope has expanded to include a wide range of public health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental health, occupational safety, and health promotion.

Mission

The mission of the CDC is to protect America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. The CDC works 24/7 to protect the health of the nation by conducting critical science and providing health information that protects against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

Functions

The CDC performs a variety of functions, including:

• Disease Surveillance: Monitoring and tracking the spread of diseases to prevent outbreaks.
• Research: Conducting research to improve public health and develop new strategies for disease prevention.
• Health Education: Providing information and resources to educate the public and healthcare professionals about health and safety.
• Emergency Response: Responding to public health emergencies, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and bioterrorism threats.
• Policy Development: Advising on public health policy and developing guidelines for disease prevention and control.

Organizational Structure

The CDC is organized into several centers, institutes, and offices, each focusing on different aspects of public health. Some of the key components include:

• National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
• National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
• Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR)

Global Impact

The CDC also plays a significant role in global health, working with other countries and international organizations to address global health challenges. It provides expertise and support for disease prevention and control efforts worldwide.

Also see

• World Health Organization
• National Institutes of Health
• Public Health Service
• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease