- Collaborate with the World Health Organization in the global response to bird flu and pandemic flu, although the CDC is focussed on disease control and prevention inside the US.
- Analyze samples taken from poultry, wild birds and human bird flu cases, or suspected bird flu cases.
- Conduct research into influenza and pandemic flu, such as the study that led to the conclusion that the pandemic flu of 1918 was caused by the H1N1 virus, one that originated in birds.
- Raise awareness of the risks of pandemic flu and disease prevention.
- Collaborate with vaccine manufacturers by providing them with candidate H5N1 viruses for proposed vaccines.
- Research in other countries and laboratory diagnostic support in countries where laboratory facilities are obsolete or non-existent.
Date Founded: The 60 year-old Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta were founded in 1946 to fight malaria that plagued war zones and some areas of the south eastern United States. The main weapon was the insecticide, DDT, that is banned for use inside the US, but still produced in the United States and used abroad.
Governance: The CDC is part of the .
Leadership: CDC Director, Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, MPH has been leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) since July 2002. She also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Emory University and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco.
Vision: Healthy People in a Healthy World – Through Prevention
Mission: To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability. The CDC works with partners within the United States and abroad in order to:
- monitor health
- detect and investigate health problems
- conduct research to enhance prevention
- develop and advocate sound public health policies
- implement prevention strategies
- promote healthy behaviors
- foster safe and healthful environments
- provide leadership training
- Health Impact Goals:
- Healthy People in Every Stage of Life
- Healthy People in Healthy Places
- People Prepared for Emerging Health Threats
- Healthy People in a Healthy World
Budget: Proposed budget of 8.22 billion total for 2007, 1.79 is for infectious diseases, 37.3 million for pandemic flu, an increase of 34.6 million.
Facilities and Centers: Global Communication Center, Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center, Environmental Health Laboratory. Centers most involved in pandemic flu preparation are:
- Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases which includes: National Center for Infectious Diseases, National Immunization Program; Coordinating Office for Global Health
- National Center for Public Health Informatics
- Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.
Number of Employees: Employees and contractors: 15,000 people in the US with over 200 in 44 countries outside of the US.
Sources:
- Center for Disease Control. About CDC.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. . February 6, 2006.
- The State of CDC, Fiscal Year 2005. Page 3.