Public Health Care Agency and Contribution to Core Functions of Public Health
The objective of this study is to examine a public health agency and its contribution to the core functions of public health. The public health agency chosen in this study is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also known as the CDC for short states its mission as being that of collaborating to "create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health -- through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats." (2012, p.1) The CDC is stated to be in search of partners throughout the United States and the world who will assist in accomplishing the CDC's mission in monitoring health; detecting and investigating health problems; conducting research to enhance prevention; development and advocating sound public health policies; implementation of prevention strategies; promotion of healthy behaviors; foster safe and healthful environments; and providing leadership and training." (2012, p.1) These functions are reported as central to the mission of the CDC as each of the CDC's component organizations "undertakes these activities in conducting its specific programs.
I. Core Values of the CDC
The CDC reports its core values as being inclusive of those stated as follows:
(1) Accountability -- As diligent stewards of public trust and public funds, we act decisively and compassionately in service to the people's health. We ensure that our research and our services are based on sound science and meet real public needs to achieve our public health goals.
(2) Respect -- We respect and understand our interdependence with all people, both inside the agency and throughout the world, treating them and their contributions with dignity and valuing individual and cultural diversity. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization.
(3) Integrity...
We will do what we say. We prize scientific integrity and professional excellence. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012, p.1)
Role of the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hold responsibility for keeping the public informed and aware of contagious disease outbreaks or to provide warnings about food and medicine contamination. For example, most recently there have been outbreaks of fungal meningitis in a multistate area in addition to warnings being published by the CDC for Salmonelia Bredeney poisoning in peanut butter and Listeriosis poisoning from Ricotta Salata Cheese. Reports and warnings have also been published by the CDC about West Nile Virus for 2012 and Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus (H3N2v). It is important that the public and health care practitioners be informed in a timely manner about such things and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes care of that very important public health task.
How The CDC Assists Society
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publish various journals including the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) and Prevention Chronic Disease (PCD) publications in addition to many others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also make provision of facts about public health, disease, risk and mortality as well as publishing assistive information benefiting families, travelers, and health care professionals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publish information about diseases and conditions, healthy living, emergency preparedness and response, injury, violence and safety, environmental health, workplace safety and health as well as global health.
CDC Agency Employees
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention employs many people in various positions throughout its agency. For example, the CDC employs medical and science health professionals who are reported to "serve on the front-line as…
