Some of the greatest challenges facing the United States aren't terrorists or trade deficits, but public health threats. Experts are urging the next administration to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its international collaborations to protect people from preventable deaths.
The CDC, part of the Health and Human Services Department, tackles an array of domestic and foreign public health and safety threats. The agency's mission includes detecting and responding to outbreaks of infectious disease, such as Ebola and Zika, as well as sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea. The agency also plays a critical role in fighting the spread of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” preventing prescription drug overdoses and reducing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
