Definition of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The US agency charged with tracking and investigating public health trends. The stated mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, commonly called the CDC, is "To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability."

A part of the U.S. Public Health Services (PHS) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of 2000, the CDC had approximately 7,800 employees in 170 occupations. They were working in:

  • CDC facilities in the US in:
    • Anchorage, Alaska
    • Atlanta
    • Cincinnati, Ohio
    • Fort Collins, Colorado
    • Morgantown, West Virginia
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
    • San Juan, Puerto Rico
    • Spokane, Washington and
    • The Washington, D.C. area
  • Other countries
  • Quarantine offices and
  • State and local health agencies.

The CDC publishes key health information including weekly data on all deaths and diseases reported in the United States ("Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report") and travelers' health advisories.

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