Vital Statistics: The National Office of Vital Statistics moves the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from Washington, D.C., to CDC. The MMWR makes national surveillance a reality and becomes CDC's primary means of communicating public health science and policy.

Cancer Cluster: CDC expands its reach into the realm of chronic disease by sending EIS officers to investigate a cancer cluster in Niles, Illinois. As a result, CDC discovers a connection between leukemia and birth defects.

Global Population: CDC becomes involved in tackling global population issues, assigning an EIS officer to work on family planning.

Smallpox Eradication: CDC formally begins the worldwide smallpox eradication campaign in Africa. In 1977, the last case of smallpox is found in Somalia. Two years later, the world is declared smallpox-free.

Malnutrition and Famine: EIS officers work in the Nigerian-Biafran war zone, further expanding CDC's efforts into malnutrition and famine relief. Paul Schnitker becomes the first and only EIS officer to die in the line of duty when his plane crashes en route to Nigeria.