Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

• The CDC is the principal public-health agency of the United States.


• It is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


• Its responsibilities include:
  
  
  • Monitoring infectious and noncommunicable diseases
  
  
  • Investigating outbreaks and emerging health threats
  
  
  • Collecting and analyzing epidemiological and laboratory data
  
  
  • Developing disease-prevention and public-health guidance
  
  
  • Supporting state, local, and international health authorities
  
  
  • Researching occupational health, environmental health, injuries, and other health risks
  
  
  • Coordinating preparedness for and responses to public-health emergencies
  
  
  
  


• Unlike the FDA, the CDC generally does not approve drugs or medical products.


• Its primary role is disease surveillance, research, prevention, guidance, and outbreak response (1).

References

(1) CDC Priorities