Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Julie Gerberding announced this week that it will align its priorities and investments with two overarching health protection goals:

1) Preparedness — All people in all communities will be protected from infectious, environmental and terrorists threats; and,

2) Health Promotion and Prevention of Disease, Injury and Disability — All people will achieve their optimal lifespan with the best possible quality of health in every stage of life.

CDC's existing operational units are being integrated into four coordinating centers to help the agency leverage resources to be more efficient in responding to public health threats and emerging issues as well as chronic health conditions:

  • Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases — includes the National Center for Infectious Diseases, the National Immunization Program, and the National Center for STD, TB and HIV Prevention.

  • Coordinating Center for Health Promotion — includes the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

  • Coordinating Center for Environmental Health, Injury Prevention, and Occupational Health — includes the National Center for Environmental Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

  • Coordinating Center for Health Information and Services — includes the National Center for Health Statistics, a new National Center for Health Marketing, and a new Center for Public Health Informatics.