Choose a federal healthcare agency (e.g., CDC, FDA, NIH) and discuss briefly how it promotes or contributes to public health.
Then, picture yourself as a manager at the agency. What managerial function that you have been introduced to would you use to promote one of its missions? Why? Support your ideas with facts and details about the organization.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading public health agency in the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Its overarching mission is to protect America from health, safety, and security threats. The CDC promotes public health through a multifaceted approach, primarily by:
Disease Surveillance and Detection: The CDC continuously monitors health trends, investigates disease outbreaks, and identifies emerging health threats, both domestically and globally. This involves collecting, analyzing, and disseminating vast amounts of data on infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19), chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), injuries, and environmental health issues. This robust surveillance system allows for early detection of potential epidemics or public health crises, enabling timely and informed responses. For instance, the CDC's ability to quickly identify and track novel pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 was critical in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.