2013 Agency Accomplishments

Let's take a look back through some of the highlights of 2013.

Graphic: CDC's Top 10 - Five for 2013, Five for 2014

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Tips From Former Smokers Campaign – Launched in March of 2012, this campaign was the first-ever paid national tobacco education campaign. In 2013, a study released by CDC indicated that more than 200,000 Americans had quit smoking and 1.6 million smokers attempted to quit smoking immediately. These results exceed the campaign's original goals of 500,000 quit attempts and 50,000 successful quits.
Listeria & Advanced Molecular Detection, CDC uses Advance Molecular Detection to reduce impact of Listeriosis Listeria, ranking third as a cause of death from major foodborne germs in the United States, sickens about 1,600 people each year. In 2013 CDC used whole genome sequencing along with diagnostic testing for the first time to help clarify which patients' illnesses were related to an outbreak of listeriosis associated with consumption of contaminated cheese. The use of new Advanced Molecular Detection tools allowed CDC to successfully define the outbreak strain and more easily and quickly show which illnesses are part of an outbreak and respond sooner.
Million Hearts®, Preventing Heart Attacks and StrokesCDC released a Vital Signs in 2013 showing that at least 200,000 deaths each year from heart disease in the U.S. could be prevented through changes by individuals, such as stopping smoking, more physical activity, and less salt in the diet; community changes to create safe places to exercise and smoke-free areas; improvements in managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes; and improvement in acute care, secondary prevention, and rehabilitation. CDC also developed and distributed new resources , recommendations , and protocols , to help health care professionals, communities, and individuals work together to contribute to the Million Hearts® goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.
Healthcare – Associated Infections, Eliminating Healthcare-Associated Infections On any given day, about 1 in every 20 hospitalized patients has an infection caused by receiving medical care. In 2013, CDC has found that bloodstream infections in patients with central lines have decreased by 44% and surgical-site infections have decreased by 20% since 2008, and that following CDC protocols could cut some dialysis-related bloodstream infections in half.
Celebrating 10 Years of PEPFAR, Fighting International HIV/AIDS [PDF - 6.41MB]–Throughout the past decade, CDC has been advancing science and innovation, and making strategic investments to build the capacity of host countries to lead their own responses to the AIDS epidemic. In 2013, PEPFAR prevented the one millionth baby from being infected with HIV and has 6.7 million people on treatment, with incidence falling in nearly all PEPFAR countries.
And More ...

America's health protection agency previews the five health threats that loom for 2014.

Antibiotic Resistance and Advanced Molecular Detection, The End of the Antibiotic Era- Every year, more than two million people in the U.S. get infections that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die as a result. In 2014, CDC will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners towards improving antibiotic use, preventing infections and the spread of resistance, gathering data on antibiotic-resistant infections, and developing diagnostic tests to track the development of resistance.
Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse and Overdose, Prescription Drug Overdose: A Growing Epidemic Deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade, and more than 16,500 people died from painkiller overdoses in 2010. CDC continues to track prescription drug overdose trends to better understand the epidemic and in 2014, will continue to focus on comprehensive state efforts to develop, implement and evaluate promising strategies to prevent prescription drug abuse and overdose.
Global Health Security, Securing our Global Health Borders - Infectious disease outbreaks, whether natural, intentional, or accidental, are still among the foremost dangers to human health and the global economy. Through strategic investments in critical public health systems, CDC will be working more closely with Ministries of Health to increase their ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats and reduce the risk of these threats crossing borders.
HPV Vaccination, HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention - For both boys and girls, HPV vaccination rates continue to be well below the Healthy People goals for 2020, leaving an entire generation susceptible to HPV-related cancers. In 2014, CDC will continue to monitor adolescent vaccination coverage levels and will continue to outreach and education to clinicians through continuing medical education, partnership with professional associations, and other educational opportunities to help strengthen vaccine recommendations and eliminate missed opportunities for HPV vaccination.
Polio, A World Without Polio - The world is closer than ever to ending polio everywhere, thanks to the efforts of CDC and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. However, challenges must be addressed in 2014 to meet the goal of eradicating polio once and for all. CDC is working together as part of a committed global effort to change history and end polio forever.