Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency that is responsible for protecting the health and safety of the public. Established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center, the CDC works closely with state, local, and tribal health departments to provide evidence-based and population-based public health services and resources. The CDC provides critical health and safety information to the public, conducts research and surveillance on infectious and chronic diseases, and coordinates programs designed to protect and improve health outcomes. CDC also has a wide-reaching mandate to ensure public safety. The agency leads emergency preparedness and response activities for disasters, natural and manmade, as well as both emerging and persistent threats. The agency also works to prevent and control disease and injury through research, the use of data and analytics, and the development and implementation of programs based on best practices and evidence-based interventions. The CDC also maintains a variety of educational programs aimed at promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco use prevention. In addition, the agency works to educate and inform the public about the importance of vaccination as part of routine preventive care and efforts to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition to health and safety, the CDC works to unlock the power of data to improve the public’s access to health information and services. The CDC’s National CLIMATE (Collaborative Living, Interoperability, Milestones, Access, and Addressability) initiative, for instance, uses a variety of emerging technologies such as geospatial mapping and virtual and augmented reality to give people a better understanding of their environment and how it affects health. The CDC is an essential partner in the fight to improve public health outcomes. The agency’s work reflects its commitment to upholding the highest possible standards of public health practice and advancing research to inform evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. As the nation’s premier health agency, the CDC plays a critical role in protecting the public’s health and safety.