Final answer:
The CDC oversees the NNDSS, which monitors reportable diseases in the U.S. Health professionals must report certain diseases, and the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provides updated public health information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reportable diseases, also known as notifiable diseases, are illnesses that health professionals are legally required to report to public health authorities. In the United States, reportable diseases are monitored through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), which is overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Physicians and other healthcare providers who identify a case of a reportable disease must submit a detailed report to the CDC. This data collection is essential for tracking public health issues and outbreaks. Examples of diseases that require reporting include HIV infection, measles, and West Nile virus infections. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a publication by the CDC that provides updated information on public health issues and the latest data on reportable diseases. Each week, data received from state and local health agencies is compiled into this report, which plays a critical role in maintaining public health awareness and informing healthcare strategies.