Centers for Disease Control, Essay Example

In 1946, Dr. Joseph Mountin opened the first Center of Disease Control and Prevention Center office in Atlanta. The initial goal of the Center of Disease Control (CDC) was to prevent malaria from spreading across the United States. In fact, the CDC opened in the South because it was in an area where malaria was high in occurrence. During the malaria control, Dr. Joseph Mountin continued to strive for other public health issues and increase the CDC’s responsibility and awareness for other infectious diseases. Presently, the CDC is one of the most important entities for the Department of Health and Human Services and is known as the most recognized corporation for disease promotion, awareness, and prevention.  (CDC, 2013a)

The CDC originally formed as an extension of a wartime agency known as Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA).  The MCWA was formed for the military in order to prevent malaria through the extermination of mosquitoes. The CDC was then opened and started with less than 400 staff, most of which were scientists of entomology or engineers. The scientists and engineers manipulated ways to get rid of mosquitoes through the use of trucks, mosquito pesticides and shovels.  In fact, DDT (which is a harmful pesticide and cancer causing agent) was used to exterminate billions of homes in the 1940s.  Over the years, the CDC has become the forefront of public health in the prevention and control of infectious and chronic illnesses, as well as,advocates for injury and work related hazards and other environmental health issues. (CDC, 2013a) In addition, the CDC conducts ongoing current research in order to monitor diseases, outbreaks and respond to emergency health issues. (CDC, 2013b)

Overall, the initial goal of the CDC back in 1946 was to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The CDC has continued the help in the prevention of disease outbreaks and disease control and has incorporated their work to researching and responding to all health threats worldwide through data analysis, investigations, and quality control. In addition, the CDC has grown to help support the state and local health agencies in their effort to improve overall worldwide health through investigating disease epidemiology andupdating current healthcare policies and reforms. (CDC, 2013b)

References

CDC. (2013a). About CDC. Our History Our Story.  Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/about/history/ourstory.htm

CDC. (2013b). CDC Overview. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/about/pdf/resources/congressional-factsheet-final-508.pdf