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CDC protects people from environmental hazards found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the world that surrounds us.

Volume 11 — September 04, 2014.

Protecting the public's health involves making critical health decisions that can affect millions of people. So it is vital that decision makers have accurate, relevant health information.

Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases cause 7 in 10 deaths every year in the U.S. CDC works to prevent the risk factors that cause these diseases, such as tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and alcohol abuse.

A core CDC responsibility is to help state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments prepare for emerging health threats.

CDC has a unique role protecting America's health security. Our scientists and public health experts are world leaders at responding to large-scale health emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, deliberate attacks, environmental catastrophes, and other health threats.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among US women, accounting for 25% of all deaths in this population. Approximately 65% of these deaths occur in asymptomatic women. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus (diabetes) are major risk factors for CVD and can be treated effectively if identified at an early stage.

Diseases can cross communities and borders, but CDC responds whenever and wherever there is an infectious disease threat.

Diseases can cross communities and borders, but CDC responds whenever and wherever there is an infectious disease threat.

There is no work quite like public health, and there is no agency quite like CDC. As America's health protection agency, we are unique in our ability to safeguard America's health security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.