The official name of the CDC is Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
So, why isn’t it CDCP instead of CDC?
Where's the P?
Why don’t we include the P in the regularly-used acronym or even use the word “Prevention” when we mention the agency?
While appreciating the history of the agency (in eliminating/controlling communicable diseases like smallpox or influenza, we’re in a new place now...a society filled with chronic disease, not just communicable disease.
I would speculate that the loss of the P as a priority in our society may have contributed to the rise of chronic disease by omission from our collective radar, that there was an epidemic brewing...one that could have been prevented.
Heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many cancers are the biggest issues facing us, today. We need the P!
Is merely controlling or managing disease our HIGHEST aspiration? I hope not. Is “not getting worse” the best we can do? I hope not. Is cost-effective “management” of chronic disease through medication and surgery the “end” we’re looking for? I hope not.
With a resurrection of P, we might even see new prioroties placed on the subsidy of fruit and vegetables...and not so much on corn, beef, cheese and tobacco?? One can only hope!
Prevention, reversal, & cure are what we need most and deserve. Shouldn’t this be our stated focus? And, shouldn’t our goals be reflected in the name of the agency that serves our needs?
My recommendation is to change the agency name to Centers for Disease Prevention & Control.
The CDP (because so many Americans can only handle 3 letters in an acronym) or CDPC would then align current and future efforts and funding with today’s priorities and our priorities for the forseeable future.
Will this ever happen?
I hope so.
We need the P!
GH
So, why isn’t it CDCP instead of CDC?
Where's the P?
Why don’t we include the P in the regularly-used acronym or even use the word “Prevention” when we mention the agency?
While appreciating the history of the agency (in eliminating/controlling communicable diseases like smallpox or influenza, we’re in a new place now...a society filled with chronic disease, not just communicable disease.
I would speculate that the loss of the P as a priority in our society may have contributed to the rise of chronic disease by omission from our collective radar, that there was an epidemic brewing...one that could have been prevented.
Heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many cancers are the biggest issues facing us, today. We need the P!
Is merely controlling or managing disease our HIGHEST aspiration? I hope not. Is “not getting worse” the best we can do? I hope not. Is cost-effective “management” of chronic disease through medication and surgery the “end” we’re looking for? I hope not.
With a resurrection of P, we might even see new prioroties placed on the subsidy of fruit and vegetables...and not so much on corn, beef, cheese and tobacco?? One can only hope!
Prevention, reversal, & cure are what we need most and deserve. Shouldn’t this be our stated focus? And, shouldn’t our goals be reflected in the name of the agency that serves our needs?
My recommendation is to change the agency name to Centers for Disease Prevention & Control.
The CDP (because so many Americans can only handle 3 letters in an acronym) or CDPC would then align current and future efforts and funding with today’s priorities and our priorities for the forseeable future.
Will this ever happen?
I hope so.
We need the P!
GH
RSS Feed