What to know
The Advisory Committee to the Director advises and provides guidance to the HHS Secretary and CDC Director to enable CDC to fulfill its mission of protecting public health through, preparedness, disease prevention and health promotion.
In Memoriam
In Memoriam - January 1, 2024
Dr. Adimora was a dedicated member of the Advisory Committee to the Director and a transformative leader who tirelessly championed for women's health. She was a Sarah Graham Kenan Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine and Professor of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Designated Federal Officer
Debra Houry, MD, MPH, is the chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science at CDC. She serves as the designated federal officer for the Advisory Committee to the Director. Prior to this role, Dr. Houry served for nearly two years (2021-2023) as CDC’s acting principal deputy director and as director for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2014-2021).
ACD Committee Information
Function
The ACD, CDC, shall advise the Secretary, HHS, and the Director, CDC, on policy and broad strategies that will enable CDC to fulfill its mission of protecting health through health promotion, prevention, and preparedness. The committee recommends ways to prioritize CDC's activities, improve results, and address health disparities. It also provides guidance to help CDC work more effectively with its various private and public sector constituents to make health protection a practical reality.
Legislative Authority
The Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is being re-established under Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §217a), as amended. The committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.
Background
The Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the Assistant Secretary for Health; and by delegation, the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are authorized under Section 301 [42 U.S.C. Section 241] and Section 311 [42 U.S.C. Section 243] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended to: (1) conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and assist other appropriate public authorities, scientific institutions, and scientists in the conduct of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and studies relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of physical and mental diseases, and other impairments; (2) assist States and their political subdivisions in the prevention of infectious diseases and other preventable conditions, and in the promotion of health and well-being; and (3) train State and local personnel in health work.
Charter
Charter for the Advisory Committee to the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The PDF of the charter is print only.