The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- CDC --
traces
its roots to an organization established in the southeastern United
States during World War II to prevent malaria among personnel
training on U.S. military bases. On July 1, 1996, CDC formally
celebrates its 50th anniversary as a federal agency dedicated to
ensuring the public's health through close cooperation with state
and local health departments and with other organizations committed
to improving health in the United States and throughout the world.
To commemorate this anniversary, this issue of MMWR presents
reports that offer special perspectives: a historical overview of
CDC; national morbidity data from June 8, 1946, and June 22, 1996;
reprints of articles published in CDC's earlier years -- reports
about an outbreak of smallpox and an outbreak of pentachlorophenol
poisoning in newborn infants; and information resources about CDC.
In addition, this issue reports the recent historic decision by the
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to designate the
prevalence of cigarette smoking as a notifiable condition for
national public health surveillance. A "late-breaking" report
summarizes the investigation of a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora
(an emerging pathogen) infection and underscores the continuing
need to address new public health threats. Subsequent issues of
MMWR this year may include reprints of selected reports of
historical interest.
CDC and its employees invite you to use CDC services and learn
more about CDC by visiting our site on the World-Wide Web
(http://www.cdc.gov), by obtaining copies of information resources
listed in this issue of MMWR, and by visiting the Global Health
Odyssey exhibit at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, CDC
Disclaimer
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