The Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (MMWR) contains data on specific diseases as reported by state
and territorial health departments and reports on infectious and chronic diseases,
environmental hazards, natural or human-generated disasters, occupational diseases
and injuries, and intentional and unintentional injuries. Also included are reports
on topics of international interest and notices of events of interest to the public
health community.
The Emerging Infectious
Disease Journal is part of CDC's plan for combating emerging infectious
diseases by enhancing communication of public health information so that the
prevention measures can be implemented without delay. The journal is available on
the Internet in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese.
The National Vital Statistics
System produces key indicators of health from birth and death certificates. Health
issues are also monitored through the National Health Interview Survey and the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Information on our health delivery
system is collected by the National Health Care Survey. Combined, these data allow
CDC and others to anticipate trends in disease, health behaviors, and health care.
The Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the primary source of information on the prevalence
of risk behaviors among Americans and their perceptions of a variety of health
issues. BRFSS data are used at state and local levels to plan, implement, and
evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs. The Youth Risk Behavior
Surveillance System (YRBSS) provides data on the prevalence of health related
behaviors practiced by young people. This information is used to more effectively
target and improve health programs for youth.
CDC strengthens and enhances
the public health system by using distance learning strategies to deliver
information and expertise to national and international public health work forces.
CDC's Public Health Training Network has delivered nearly one million training
opportunities since 1993.
CDC established 7 Centers of
Excellence for Birth Defects Prevention Research across the country. One activity is
the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control study of infants born
with major congenital anomalies. This is the largest such study of birth defects
ever undertaken.
