Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC)

Part of the U.S. Public Health Service, the CDC is a scientific agency dedicated to protecting people's health and safety. Created as a malaria control unit in 1946, the CDC has developed into 12 centers housing experts in a vast array of topics (e.g., chronic disease, injury, infectious disease, environmental hazards), all guided by the vision of “healthy people in a healthy world, through prevention.” A distinguished track record, including global smallpox eradication, established the CDC's reputation for excellence in responding to widespread, deadly, and mysterious health threats. The information that the CDC releases is widely regarded as trustworthy, and its recommendations are often accepted as definitive standards for public health practice.