From Mary Woolley, President, Research!America
WASHINGTON—March 21, 2007—For 60 years, Americans have benefited from the accomplishments of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in protecting our health and that of our families.
Yet for the past two years, Congress has cut the budget of the CDC's vital core programs-those that address urgent realities such as obesity, heart disease, injury and disability-even while new challenges-urgent threats, such as bioterrorism and potential pandemics-are mounting:
- Translating research into action, the CDC preparedness division works to protect Americans from new and existing pandemics and terrorist threats.
- To prevent and control chronic diseases, CDC conducts research to better understand these diseases, public education programs to promote healthy behaviors and surveys to monitor the nation's health-in partnership with state and federal agencies and private organizations.
- CDC is at the center of global health, providing scientific expertise and resources to developing nations to reduce global health disparities and suffering from diseases such as malaria and AIDS.
- Vigilance on so many fronts requires support from Congress for an increased investment in CDC. Increased funding for CDC will lead to stronger funding of state and local health departments that are expected to prepare for and respond to health threats.
It is essential that Congress stand behind the health of the American people by supporting strong, sustained investment in the CDC.
About Research!America
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority.
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