Final answer:
The CDC's three major roles include disease surveillance and reporting, public health education and immunization campaigns, and pandemic preparedness and response. The Public Health Service (PHS) enforces regulations in food safety and promotes health through many programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tasked with several critical roles to protect public health in the United States. Three major roles of the CDC include:
- Disease Surveillance and Reporting: The CDC oversees the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS), collecting data on notifiable diseases and publishing it in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) to monitor public health threats.
- Public Health Education and Immunization Campaigns: It provides education on health threats and coordinates national immunization efforts to control the spread of diseases.
- Pandemic Preparedness and Response: The agency plays a significant role in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, including pandemics, through data gathering and coordination of international health initiatives.
Additionally, the Public Health Service (PHS) complements the CDC by enforcing regulations in food safety, overseeing public health initiatives, and promoting health and safety through various programs.