centers for disease control and prevention centers for disease control and prevention the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) is the national public health agency of the united states. it is a united states federal agency under the department of health and human services, and is headquartered in atlanta, georgia. "centers for disease control" redirects here. for affiliated agencies outside the us, see list of national public health agencies. centers for disease control and preventionlogo of the cdcagency overviewformedjuly 1, 1946 (1946-07-01)preceding agenciesoffice of national defense malaria control activities (1942)office of malaria control in war areas (1942–46)communicable disease center (1946–67)national communicable disease center (1967–70)center for disease control (1970–80)centers for disease control (1980–92)jurisdictionfederal government of the united statesheadquartersatlanta, georgia, u.s.33°47′58″n 84°19′42″wemployees10,899 (2015)annual budgetus$11.1 billion (fy18)agency executivesrochelle walensky, directordebra houry, acting principal deputy directorparent agencyunited states department of health and human serviceswebsitewww.cdc.gov the agency's main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the us and worldwide. the cdc focuses national attention on developing and applying disease control and prevention. it especially focuses its attention on infectious disease, food borne pathogens, environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, injury prevention and educational activities designed to improve the health of united states citizens. the cdc also conducts research and provides information on non-infectious diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, and is a founding member of the international association of national public health institutes. the cdc's current director as of 2023 is rochelle walensky. the director reports to the u.s. department of health and human services. since 2020, the cdc has faced scrutiny for its handing of the covid-19 pandemic. in 2022, following an internal examination, walensky acknowledged "some pretty dramatic, pretty public mistakes, from testing to data to communications" and called for the reorganization of cdc. history