Located in Atlanta, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is probably the most recognized health institution in the world. It’s also one of Georgia’s biggest employers! Along with Teachable Moments about the CDC’s history, and definitions of epidemiology, mutation, and antibiotic resistance, we also learn that you don’t need a doctorate in biology to work here.

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Located in Atlanta, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is probably the most recognized health institution in the world. It’s also one of Georgia’s biggest employers! Along with Teachable Moments about the CDC’s history, and definitions of epidemiology, mutation, and antibiotic resistance, we also learn that you don’t need a doctorate in biology to work here.

Science

S7L4.c

Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for how resource availability, disease, climate, and human activity affect individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.

S7L5.b

Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variation and environmental factors influence the probability of survival and reproduction of a species.

SB2.b

Construct an argument based on evidence to support the claim that inheritable genetic variations may result from:

  • new genetic combinations through meiosis (crossing over, nondisjunction);
  • non-lethal errors occurring during replication (insertions, deletions, substitutions); and/or
  • heritable mutations caused by environmental factors (radiation, chemicals, and viruses).
SB6.e

Develop a model to explain the role natural selection plays in causing biological resistance (e.g., pesticides, antibiotic resistance, and influenza vaccines).

1. We already have doctors and hospitals. Why do we need a center to focus on public health? What's the difference between your health and public health?

2. How can epidemiology benefit public health?

3. What is the connection between not finishing your medication and public health?

4. More and more people are wearing devices that collect biometric information about their health. What are the costs and benefits of this trend?

Malaria: a serious disease that causes chills and fever and that is passed from one person to another by the bite of mosquitoes

HIV: (human immunodeficiency virus) a virus that causes AIDS

AIDS: (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) a serious disease of the immune system that is caused by infection with a virus

Salmonella: a kind of bacteria that is sometimes in food and that makes people sick

Symptom: a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present

Bacteria: any one of a group of very small living things that often cause disease

Informatics: practice of information processing and the engineering of information systems

Epidemiology: the study of how disease spreads and can be controlled 

Mutation: a change in the genes of a plant or animal that causes physical characteristics that are different from what is normal 

DNA: (deoxyribonucleic acid) a substance that carries genetic information in the cells of plants and animals

Antibiotic: a drug that is used to kill harmful bacteria and to cure infections

  • Special Thanks

    Susan Laird, Nasheka Powell, Nakesha Speed, City of Atlanta

    This content was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.