The primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in the United States

The primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in the United States

• A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• B. Veterans Administration
• C. Orthodontics
• D. Cosmetic surgery

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying which federal agency leads public health efforts across the United States. The best choice is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is the federal public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting the nation’s health by preventing disease and injury, monitoring health threats, conducting scientific research, and supporting disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health promotion across the country. It works with state and local health departments to provide guidance, data, and resources for public health practice. The other options don’t fit this role: the Veterans Administration provides healthcare services specifically to veterans, not broad public health activities for the nation; orthodontics and cosmetic surgery are medical specialties, not federal agencies responsible for public health.

The main idea is identifying which federal agency leads public health efforts across the United States. The best choice is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is the federal public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting the nation’s health by preventing disease and injury, monitoring health threats, conducting scientific research, and supporting disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health promotion across the country. It works with state and local health departments to provide guidance, data, and resources for public health practice.

The other options don’t fit this role: the Veterans Administration provides healthcare services specifically to veterans, not broad public health activities for the nation; orthodontics and cosmetic surgery are medical specialties, not federal agencies responsible for public health.