The role of the centers for disease control and prevention in chronic disease surveillance in the United States
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18755694Keywords:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, Epidemiological Monitoring, Chronic DiseaseAbstract
Chronic diseases pose a major public health challenge in the United States, accounting for a large share of morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Approximately 60 percent of U.S. adults live with at least one chronic condition, and 40 percent have multiple conditions at the same time. Given this prevalence, systematic surveillance is required to monitor trends, identify risk factors, and guide prevention and management strategies at national and local levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plays a central role in this process through an extensive network of surveillance programs that track prevalence, incidence, and associated factors for conditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The CDC draws on multiple data sources, including surveys, vital records, and electronic health data, which are integrated into tools such as the Chronic Disease Indicators web tool. This platform standardizes and centralizes key indicators for public health professionals. Ongoing modernization of data systems, with emphasis on the integration of electronic health records and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and large scale data analytics, improves the accuracy, scope, and timeliness of collected information. This supports more targeted and timely public health interventions, including emerging precision public health approaches that incorporate genetic, socioenvironmental, and behavioral factors into tailored prevention strategies. Persistent challenges remain, particularly regarding data quality, system interoperability, and the need for continued workforce training to ensure effective use of these tools.
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