Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which of the following is a key function of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

1. Dictating world health policy

2. Implementing prevention strategies

3. Conducting all health-related research

4. Providing global vaccinations

The correct answer is: Implementing prevention strategies

The key function of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to implement prevention strategies. The CDC is primarily focused on improving public health within the United States through various initiatives, including the development and promotion of guidelines for disease prevention, control, and treatment options. This encompasses a broad range of activities such as surveillance of disease patterns, educating the public on healthy behaviors, and collaborating with state and local health departments to implement effective public health interventions. While the CDC does engage in research and collaborates internationally, its main role is not to conduct all health-related research or dictate health policies globally. Instead, it focuses on evidence-based strategies to prevent the spread of diseases and improve health outcomes domestically. The efforts to provide vaccinations globally are important, but they are typically implemented in partnership with international organizations and governments rather than being a primary function of the CDC itself. Therefore, the implementation of prevention strategies is central to the mission and activities of the CDC.