CDC 24/7 Fact of the Week
CDC Fact of the Week
Week of May 20, 2013
CDC played a pivotal role identifying cases of anthrax
In 2001, CDC played a pivotal role identifying cases of anthrax, tracking exposures, and developing a response to treat the 32,000 individuals who were, or may have been, exposed. The anthrax bioterrorism attack of 2001 resulted in 5 deaths, 22 illnesses and economic costs exceeding $1 billion. The projected economic costs of a city-wide release of a bioterrorist agent like anthrax would reach beyond $1.8 trillion, resulting in illnesses and deaths, antibiotic treatment, decontamination and work disruption.
2013 Facts
Week of May 13, 2013
CDC leads the National Tobacco Control Program
CDC leads the National Tobacco Control Program facilitating national efforts to reduce tobacco use, which causes more than 400,000 deaths per year, and costs $193 billion annually (nearly $96 billion in direct medical costs and an additional $97 billion in lost productivity).
Week of May 6, 2013
CDC leads workplace safety research
CDC leads workplace safety research, health hazard evaluations, and programs including the Total Worker Health Program, to help reduce occupational injuries and illnesses, which cost employers approximately $74 billion in workers’ compensation insurance in 2009.
Week of April 29, 2013
CDC supports state and local preparedness activities:
CDC supports state and local preparedness activities through funding and technical assistance. For example, CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement has provided over $9 billion in funding since 2002 to state, local and territorial public health departments to build and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies. In response to the 2009 influenza pandemic, CDC administered $1.4 billon to upgrade state and local preparedness and response capacity.
Week of April 22, 2013
World Malaria Day April 25:
As we mark World Malaria Day April 25, did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has its roots in malaria? It was founded July 1, 1946 as the successor to the World War II Malaria Control in War Areas program. CDC is specifically directed by Congress to provide leadership in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, surveillance, and operational research for malaria.
Week of April 15, 2013
CDC is available 24-7, Saving Lives, Protecting People
CDC helps other countries rapidly find, identify, and quickly control new diseases and bioterrorist threats. For more information visit CDC’s Global Disease Detection Program.
Week of April 8, 2013
CDC studies highly infectious viruses, including those which cause hemorrhagic manifestations in humans.
In 1976 CDC investigated two outbreaks of an unknown deadly hemorrhagic fever, later called Ebola. To see a listing of Ebola outbreaks from 1976 to the present.
Week of April 1, 2013
It’s National Public Health Week.
CDC is the nation's health protection agency, working 24/7 to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. CDC increases the health security of our nation.
Week of March 25, 2013
The CDC’s Vision for the 21st Century is “Health Protection…Health Equity”.
What is CDC doing to advance this mission?
Week of March 18, 2013
The David J. Sencer CDC Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate.
The CDC museum was established in 1996 and renamed the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in 2011 to honor the longest-serving CDC Director.
Week of March 11, 2013
CDC works to ensure that all vaccines are safe whether you receive a shot in the US or anywhere in the world.
Monitoring health problems after vaccination is essential to ensure the US continues to have the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.
Week of March 4, 2013
CDC and its partners continue to monitor SARS globally.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was first reported in Asia in 2003 and CDC immediately began working to identify, track, and treat cases.
Week of February 25, 2013
CDC helps partners and stakeholders in preparing for, responding to and recovering from the threat of bioterrorism, emergent diseases, and other hazards.
CDC created the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) training program in 2002. CERC training has been conducted in all 10 HHS Regions and 15 countries.
Week of February 18, 2013
CDC tracks and reports state-by-state rates of colorectal cancer.
A CDC report says that rates of new cases and deaths of colorectal cancer are decreasing and more adults are being screened.
Week of February 11, 2013
CDC regulates the possession, use, and transfer of biological agents and toxins that could pose a severe threat to public health and safety via the Select Agent Program.
This program has greatly enhanced the nation's oversight of the safety and security of select agents and is overseen by the Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT), located in CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR).
Week of January 28, 2013
CDC looks for motivated students, graduates, and health professionals for a variety of exciting public health training programs.
CDC offers public health training fellowships for everyone from high school students to trained professionals.
Week of February 4, 2013
CDC/NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent workplace illnesses and injuries.
CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health works to identify and track the association between occupational exposures and cancers.
Week of January 21, 2013
CDC helps you protect yourself from E. coli infections.
Food regulators use CDC data to improve food handling and production standards for foods that can be contaminated by E. coli 0157. Outbreaks of E. coli infections under investigation by CDC.
Week of January 14, 2013
CDC’s National Asthma Control Program is a driving force in asthma control.
Nearly 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma. Follow this link for more information about CDC’s asthma control programs.
Week of January 7, 2013
CDC provides information about the health concerns of owning and caring for animals.
On the "Healthy Pets Healthy People" website you can browse by animal or by disease.
2012 Facts
Week of December 31, 2012
Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are important and widespread public health problems in the United States
CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey collects information on partner and sexual violence and stalking. Review the survey.
Week of December 24, 2012
CDC fights the spread of infectious disease in crowded populations, for example in prisons
CDC provides recommendations and guidance for detecting, treating, and tracking infectious diseases in prisons.
Week of December 17, 2012
CDC’s disease detectives protect America when new diseases strike
CDC’s discovery of the causes of Legionnaires’ Disease (1968) and Toxic-Shock Syndrome (1980), helped protect people and saves lives from these health threats.
Week of December 10, 2012
CDC's work around the world keeps America safe from health threats
For more than 60 years CDC’s scientific expertise has been called upon to help save lives and limit the spread of disease around the world. CDC has more than 304 workers in 50-plus countries.
Week of December 3, 2012
CDC tracks blood safety for patients with rare disorders
A new CDC program monitors blood safety for people with Thalassemia, a group of genetic blood disorders; the most severe, Cooley's Anemia. CDC is tracking blood safety for thalassemia patients, and establishing a network of specialized health-care centers to manage the disease, treat it, and prevent patient complications.
Week of November 26, 2012
CDC helps protect children from overdoses of cold/cough medicines
CDC’s discovered that children’s cold/cough medicines cause thousands of overdoses a year. These findings led drug companies to voluntarily change the labels on these products.
Week of November 19, 2012
CDC protects Americans from infections during dental visits
In 1990, CDC reported the possible transmission of HIV from a dentist to a patient in Florida during an invasive procedure. This led to CDC guidelines that now help keep people safe with protection between dental staff and patients, and proper cleaning of instruments and equipment. Read the original report.
Week of November 12, 2012
CDC works to prevent falls among older adults
Each year, one in three adults age 65 and older falls. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head injuries, and can increase the risk of early death. CDC is helping protect older adults by supporting proven programs and providing information to both individuals and health care providers.
Week of November 5, 2012
CDC protects communities and workers from stockpiled weapon threats
CDC oversees the Army’s destruction of the nation’s stockpiled chemical weapons to make sure these are destroyed in a way that protects workers and keeps communities safe.
Week of October 29, 2012
CDC is helping keep newborns safe from HIV infection
In 1998, CDC research found that treating HIV-infected pregnant women with a short course of AZT could reduce the risk of prenatal HIV transmission by over 50 percent. This saves countless lives in American and around the world.
More
Week of October 22, 2012
CDC protects America from outbreaks of infectious diseases
There are 20 US Quarantine Stations, staffed with CDC quarantine public health officers. They help prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into the US by responding to illnesses in travelers arriving in the United States, screening cargo and animals that may pose a risk to human health, and working closely with partners at entry points to the United States.
Week of October 15, 2012
CDC takes the health pulse of the nation
CDC’s has produced the health statistics reporting for America from its National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) since the early 1960s. The surveys determine the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. and are the basis for national measurement standards such as height, weight, and blood pressure. Review the latest survey results.
Week of October 8, 2012
CDC works to protect Americans from the health threats of tobacco use
Did you know that 443,000 Americans die of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke each year? For every smoking-related death, another 20 people suffer with a smoking-related disease. CDC offers tools and resources on quitting smoking.
Week of October 1, 2012
CDC is helping to drive down health-care related infections
People getting medical care can catch serious infections called health care-associated infections. CDC helps monitor and prevent these infections which are an important threat to patient safety and recovery. Its recommendations for preventing many hospital-related infections help keep patients safe around the use of catheters and surgical sites.
Week of September 24, 2012
CDC supports the health of responders and others affected by the 9/11 attacks.
CDC administers the government’s program to provide health monitoring and treatment for responders and others harmed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, stimulates new research on health effects associated with the attacks, and anticipates the long-term health needs of those we serve.
Week of September 17, 2012
CDC helps to provide access to breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, and 12 tribes.
Week of September 10, 2012
CDC tracks Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and estimates that 1 in 110 U.S. children, on average, have an ASD.
Week of September 3, 2012
CDC invites organizations interested in offering a lifestyle change program to prevent type-2 diabetes to become a part of the Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program.
Week of August 27, 2012
CDC’s online Public Health Image Library (PHIL) includes photos, illustrations, and multimedia files free for downloading.
Week of August 20, 2012
CDC helps other countries rapidly find, identify, and quickly control new diseases and bioterrorist threats.
Week of August 13, 2012
CDC works with scientists in Russia, Scandinavian countries, and other Arctic Circle regions to focus on disease concerns at the top of the globe.
Week of August 6, 2012
CDC lets people know if they have been exposed to certain communicable diseases while traveling on an airplane.
Week of July 30, 2012
CDC trains public health economists on how to help determine which public health programs and decisions are good investments.
Week of July 16, 2012
CDC developed guidelines and system-wide solutions to address surge needs of injured patients after a bombing or mass casualty events.
Week of July 9, 2012
In 1950 CDC conducted its first investigation of a polio outbreak in Paulding County, Ohio. View more information on the history of polio eradication.
Week of July 2, 2012
CDC stockpiles and provides antibiotics, vaccines, chemical antidotes and other supplies, which can be released in just a few hours, from its Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
Week of June 25, 2012
In 1958 the first CDC Disease Detectives went overseas to Southeast Asia to investigate an epidemic of cholera and smallpox.
Week of June 18, 2012
CDC carefully watches what influenza viruses are circulating and each year helps select the viruses that will be used to make the next season’s vaccines.
Week of June 11, 2012
Each week, CDC tracks and shares information about more than 60 different diseases with reports we get from the states. Access the latest annual summary of these diseases.
Week of June 4, 2012
In the United States, approximately 95% of elevated blood lead levels in adults are work related.
Week of May 28, 2012
CDC inspects cruise ships and posts the inspection scores online. Check the latest ratings.
Week of May 21, 2012
CDC works to find out what germs may be hiding in foods and making us sick.
Week of May 14, 2012
CDC studies demonstrated that treating HIV-infected pregnant women with a short course of AZT could reduce the risk of prenatal HIV transmission by over 50%.
Week of May 7, 2012
CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health works to identify and track the association between occupational exposures and cancers.
Week of April 30, 2012
CDC provides information about developmental milestones and screening for all children.
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