Leveraging IT for Public Health Impact

Since its establishment in 1946, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has remained at the forefront of public health practice while its mission has expanded from the control of infectious diseases to include control and prevention of chronic diseases, injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats. CDC recognizes the key roles of information technology and the workforce professionals needed to leverage IT to fulfill the public health mission. Since CDC’s first mainframe computer in 1964, CDC has been a leading IT adopter and currently invests over $500 million per year, including $200 million in grants to states, in information systems for a wide range of public health functions. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) provides various services, governance, and oversight of CDC’s IT investments and use of IT to improve public health and administration of the agency.