Introduction
The Act of the Public Health Service in the United States designed the PHS (United States Public Service) as the fundamental division of the HEW (Health Education and Welfare) Department. This Department was later changed into the USDHHS (United States Department of Health and Human Services). The PHS consists of all the Agency Divisions of Commissioned Corps and HHS (Health and Human Services). The main purpose of public health is to render quality illness prevention and public health promotion programs and develop public health science. In addition, public health entails combating disease occurrence and fighting against poor health conditions. The priority of the United States PHS is to promote, protect and develop the safety and health of the U.S This paper will examine the centers for disease control and prevention a public health agency in the U.S.
CDC agency
CDC (Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention) is a federal agency in the United States under the HHS Department and it’s located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was established in the year 1952 during WWII (World War II), initially as the department of NDMCA (National Defense Malaria Control Activities). In the year 1957, the CDC’s mission was expanded to focus beyond malaria to include other diseases such as sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis, and immunization programs. The basis of CDC performs autonomously from the Center for Diseases Control as a non-profit, private organization integrated into the George State. The agency is devoted to promoting quality of life and protecting life through the control and prevention of illnesses, disabilities, and injuries. The agency is dedicated to programs and projects whose purpose is to minimize the economic, social and health effects of the of the most dangerous illnesses that cause disability and death, hence promoting a productive, long healthy life for every individual (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 2009, pp. 1-3).
How CDC contributes to the core functions of public health
CDC contributes greatly to the core functions of public health. It does this by improving the individuals’ public health and safety through giving data or information to improve health decisions. In addition, CDC promotes health by partnering with health departments including other organizations. It also advocates for state interest in executing illness prevention measures as well as the control of infectious illnesses, ecological health, job-related fitness and wellbeing, health endorsement, fitness education and health prevention activities formed to expand the eminence of individual’s health, in this case, those residing in America. In the recent past, CDC is said to have contributed to the core values of community health by contributing to issues that concern disabilities, ecological health hazards, unremitting illnesses, damage control, and terrorism campaign, and workplace hazards. Moreover, CDC fights wellbeing dangers which include; Bioterrorism, E. coli, pandemic flu, obesity, West Nile virus, birth faults, avian flu, auto wrecks, and swine flu. In addition, CDC is an important agency to public health since it is proving significant in combating the misuse of penicillin. More importantly, CDC gives grants which are intended to assist several organizations every year in providing safety, awareness and health information to the nearby communities or societies in the entire United States.
How CDC influences workplace, health care providers and health care system
CDC has influenced health care providers, workplaces, and the health care system as a whole in different ways. For instance, through disseminating health information in different workplaces, the agency has helped in reducing injuries that are work-related. CDC helps in educating workers on the significance of minimizing workplace injuries. As a result, this has assisted in protecting the safety and health of employees in many organizations. When the health and safety of the workers are protected, their productivity is improved, thus, the organization is in a better position to thrive in a competitive market. In addition, CDC influences health care providers through its responsibility of monitoring diseases to make sure that any probable exposure is identified and that suitable assessments are provided. Therefore, health care providers are in a position to understand the extent of disease and the appropriate measures to be undertaken to prevent or control the spread of a certain disease. Similarly, CDC has influenced the entire health care system through the aspect of advancing the surveillance network of public health. This has helped the health care system to rapidly detect and recognize the biological agent which could have been released; reinforcing the capabilities for clinical response, particularly at the limited or local level. In addition, the CDC has helped the health care system to develop the supply of pharmaceuticals for utilization when required, develop research on illness agents which could be released, develop quick techniques for recognizing biological agents and advanced vaccines and treatments, and controlling the shipment of dangerous toxins or biological agents.
Similarly, CDC has influenced health care providers and the entire health care system by assisting them in structuring guidelines for disease prevention, employing prevention strategies, establishing modern and innovative strategies, and recognizing and responding to evolving and new health threats. CDC is devoted to achieving all its obligations in alignment with the DHHS Action plan to preclude healthcare-related diseases and by working together with other partners and agencies.
Roles of the CDC workers
The roles of the CDC workers include disseminating health information to both health care providers and non-healthcare providers. In addition, CDC workers are responsible for preventing deadly and costly diseases which threaten the health of the individuals. For instance, in the case of radiological incidents, the roles and responsibilities of the CDC workers are as follows. First of all, to determine the health of the individuals involved in the incident. Secondly, to determine the medical consequences of exposures to the radiological on individuals in the society, employees and emergency responders, and vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women, people with immune deficiencies and children. Thirdly, to advise local and state health divisions on the way to protect people, supplies of water and food and animals from contamination or pollution by radioactive substances. Moreover, CDC workers are involved in offering technical aid and consultation to local and state divisions on matters regarding medical management, follow-up and sanitization of sufferers who are affected by radioactive substances. In general, in case of an occurrence whether intentional or accidental, CDC workers’ roles and responsibilities involve preparedness and response to emergencies (Department of Health and Human Services, 2005, pp. 1-3).
The most significant resource for a public health agency includes a competent and well-trained workforce. For CDC to render quality services to the public, its workers at all levels must have the following competencies. Competencies are action-directed reports which describe the important abilities, knowledge, and skills needed in order to carry out the given responsibilities. One of the main skills in the CDC workers is knowledge of epidemiology. Epidemiology helps the workers in researching public health predicaments and assessing appropriate public health interventions. The workers should also recognize the medical and ethical limitations regarding any strategy that is implemented into a society or on an individual. The employees should be in a position to employ the fundamental public health sciences of promotion, prevention, curative and rehabilitation to threatening diseases. In addition, they ought to recognize the role of genetic, social, behavioral, cultural and environmental factors in disease development, prevention and behavior promotion, and their effect on health service agencies and provision of services to improve on wellness and prevent diseases (Nelson, Essien, Loudermilk & Cohen, 2002, pp. 3-6).
Conclusion
In conclusion, CDC is a Public Health agency. The main role of the agency is to safeguard individuals’ health through illnesses prevention measures while promoting effective fitness resolutions through creating awareness on matters concerning health. Consequently, this promotes healthy living which is facilitated by local, national and global organizations. Thus, CDC is devoted to working in collaboration with other federal partners and agencies and, local and state public health divisions to make sure that quality health care is rendered to all individuals.
Reference List
Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). CDC’s Roles in the event of a nuclear or radiological terrorist attack. Radiation emergencies. Web.
Nelson, J., Essien, J., Loudermilk, R. & Cohen, D. (2002). Optimizing individual and organization performance for the Public’s Health. The Public Health Competency Handbook. Atlanta, Ga: Center for Public Health Practice of the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. (2009). Records of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guide to federal records.