Advisory Charter

Authority

The Advisory Committee to the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was established under Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 2l7a), as amended.  The committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

Purpose

The Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the Assistant Secretary for Health; and by delegation, the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are authorized under Section 301 [42 U.S.C. Section 241] and Section 311 [42 U.S.C. Section 243] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended to:  (1) conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and assist other appropriate public authorities, scientific institutions, and scientists in the conduct of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and studies relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of physical and mental diseases, and other impairments; (2) assist States and their political subdivisions in the prevention of infectious diseases and other preventable conditions, and in the promotion of health and well-being; and (3) train State and local personnel in health work.

Function

The Advisory Committee to the Director, CDC, shall advise the Secretary, HHS, and the Director, CDC, on policy and broad strategies that will enable CDC to fulfill its mission of protecting health through health promotion, prevention, and preparedness.  The committee recommends ways to prioritize CDC’s activities, improve results, and address health disparities.  It also provides guidance to help CDC work more effectively with its various private and public sector constituents to make health protection a practical reality.