Chronic disease, unhealthy lifestyles, injuries and environmental threats, along with new global infections and the possibility of bioterrorism, are the biggest threats to future public health, the initiative project concluded. In keeping with those findings, “Preparation” and “Health Promotion of Disease, Injury and Disability” will be the two priority goals in the new CDC, according to an announcement by CDC Director Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H.

“Our aim is to help ensure that all people are protected in safe and healthy communities so they can achieve their full life expectancy,” she said.

The plan includes four new divisions: the Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, the Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, the Coordinating Center for Environmental Health, Injury Prevention and Occupational Health and the Coordinating Center for Health Information and Services. A National Center for Health Marketing and National Center for Public Health Informatics are among the new units included in the Health Information and Services Center. The Office of Global Health and Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response will also be key cogs in the new CDC, along with seven offices within the Office of the Director.

Gerberding stressed that the reorganization is a “transitional” move, with details still in flux. She says the changes should be in place by the start of the next fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2004.

To read more about the CDC’s “Futures Initiative,” including information on personnel at each of the new coordinating centers, go here.