**History and Establishment:**
– Founded in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center.
– Atlanta chosen as headquarters due to endemic malaria.
– Early focus on mosquito abatement, malaria eradication, and tuberculosis control.
– Renamed to CDC in 1980 and to CDCP in 1992.
– Rockefeller Foundation supported malaria control efforts.
**Mission and Focus:**
– National public health agency of the U.S.
– Main goal is the protection of public health and safety.
– Focus areas include infectious diseases, foodborne pathogens, and environmental health.
– Research on non-infectious diseases like obesity and diabetes.
– Member of the International Association of National Public Health Institutes.
**Growth and Recent History:**
– Moved to current headquarters in 1960.
– Epidemic Intelligence Service established in 1951.
– Field Epidemiology Training Programs began in 1980.
– CDC’s mission expanded to include sexually transmitted diseases.
– Focus broadened to include chronic diseases and terrorism preparedness.
**Organization and Locations:**
– Organized into Centers, Institutes, and Offices (CIOs).
– Activities in specific areas of expertise.
– Support for cross-cutting issues and health threats.
– Most centers in Atlanta, with some domestic locations.
– Quarantine facilities in 20 U.S. cities.
**Budget, Workforce, and Leadership:**
– Budget of $11.9 billion in fiscal year 2018.
– Over 85% of the budget awarded through grants.
– Around 15,000 personnel, including contractors and officers.
– Common job titles include engineer, epidemiologist, physician, nurse, and statistician.
– Director position is a Senior Executive Service position, serving at the pleasure of the President.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 1, 1946 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United States |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. 33°47′58″N 84°19′42″W / 33.79944°N 84.32833°W |
| Employees | 10,899 (2015) |
| Annual budget | US$11.1 billion (FY18) |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | United States Department of Health and Human Services |
| Website | www |
The agency's main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and worldwide. The CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease control and prevention. It especially focuses its attention on infectious disease, food borne pathogens, environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, injury prevention, and educational activities designed to improve the health of United States citizens. The CDC also conducts research and provides information on non-infectious diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, and is a founding member of the International Association of National Public Health Institutes.
The CDC's current Director is Mandy Cohen who assumed office on July 10, 2023.