Center for Disease Control and Prevention Overview
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Lisa Hyde HCS 415 Carla McGregor April 12, 2004 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency located in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The CDC is charged with disease surveillance and the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases, chronic disease, and injuries. ... The CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. Function The major function of the CDC is early detection and control of outbreaks of infectious and deadly diseases in a matter of days or even hours. Early containment of these disease outbreaks is crucial to stopping the spread and contamination to mass populations both nationally and internationally. Disease containment and monitoring are not the only functions of the department. The agency also monitors food, water and air quality, is involved in family violence prevention programs in urban communities, and teaches HIV training and implements public health of preventable childhood diseases through immunizations. ... This includes youth violence, violence against women, bicycle helmet usage, head injury prevention and fire-related injuries. ... Protecting Individuals against Emerging Infectious Diseases including Bio-terrorism- The CDC will continue the fight against infectious disease, prevent re-emergent infectious disease and continue to local, state and national public health capacity to respond to threats from biological and chemical terrorism. ... Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities-With the study of health disparities, enhanced prevention programs, health care promotions and deliver culturally competent and linguistically specific preventative and clinical services.