$Unique_ID{BRK01934} $Pretitle{} $Title{What is the CDC?} $Subject{CDC diseases Centers Disease Control FDA Food Drug Administration Public Health Service Department Human Services HHS agency agencies drug drugs medication medications medical device devices control controlling investigate investigator investigators cause causes epidemic epidemics outbreak outbreaks Legionnaires virus viruses influenza vaccine vaccines vaccination vaccinations Office Malaria War Areas World II Communicable AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome HIV human immunodeficiency alcohol abuse injury injuries hazard hazards environment environmental occupation occupational Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report government governmental governments} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. What is the CDC? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I read everything I can find about health and health issues. I frequently see the name CDC used in articles that talk about diseases, and know that this represents some government agency that controls health regulations. Does this make it part of the FDA? I would appreciate any information you might be able to provide me about the CDC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: While the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) often work together solving the health problems of the United States, the CDC is not a part of the FDA. Both the FDA and CDC are part of the Public Health Service, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but are independent and separate agencies. While the FDA is responsible for controlling drugs, medications and medical devices, the CDC provides investigators to delve into the causes of epidemics, or the outbreaks of new diseases. It was the CDC that discovered the cause of Legionnaires disease, and its scientists track the path of the viruses that cause influenza. Their work makes it possible to predict the strains of the virus most likely to appear in the yearly flu season in time to allow drug companies to prepare the proper vaccines. The CDC started as the Public Health Service's Office of Malaria Control in War Areas during World War II, was then called the Communicable Disease Center (1946) and essentially became the CDC we know today in 1970. It now provides many educational and prevention programs, particularly in the areas of AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse, accidental injuries, and occupational and environmental health hazards. The results of its investigations are published in a journal known as the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report", must reading for health officials, investigative scientists, and health and science reporters as well. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.