Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

History

The CDC evolved out of a World War II malaria control program—Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA). Formally established in July 1, 1946, the organization was originally known as the Communicable Disease Center (CDC). The CDC's early work concentrated on malaria control in the United States. However, it was soon engaged in other public health problems such as polio by providing assistance to local governments and public health departments facing epidemics and disasters. Over time, the CDC's mission continued to broaden, expanding beyond infectious diseases to include chronic diseases, nutrition, and occupational and environmental health. To reflect these changes, the organization has changed its name a number of times; however, it has always kept the same acronym, CDC. In 1970 it changed its name from the Communicable Disease Center to the Center for Disease Control, in 1980 to the Centers for Disease Control, and in 1992 to its current designation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Goals and Strategic Areas of Focus

Currently, the CDC has four stated organizational goals. Specifically, it works to have (1) healthy people in every state of life by reducing health risks; (2) healthy people in healthy places by ensuring that all locations including where people live, work, and play are healthy environments; (3) people prepared for emerging health threats by safeguarding them and responding to threats; and (4) healthy people in a healthy world through efforts to improve global health using medical technology, international coalitions, government interventions, and behavior changes.

To reach these goals, the CDC focuses on six strategic areas: (1) health impact focus—align the CDC staff and other resources to maximize health; (2) customer-centricity—provide what people want; (3) public health research—create and disseminate healthcare knowledge; (4) leadership—use the CDC's expertise to improve health; (5) globalization—extend the CDC's knowledge around the world; and (6) accountability—sustain confidence and trust.

Organizational Structure

The current organizational structure of the CDC includes the Office of the Director, the National [Page 142]Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and six coordinating centers and offices: (1) Coordinating Center for Health Information and Services, (2) Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, (3) Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, (4) Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, (5) Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Responses, and (6) the Coordinating Office for Global Health.