The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was founded in 1946 to combat malaria, but evolved to address prevention and control of a broad spectrum of diseases as well as promotion of health and quality of life. While mental health has been traditionally viewed as outside of the CDC mission, inter-relationships between mental health and health issues traditionally recognized as part CDC’s mission have become more apparent in recent years. To accomplish public health goals acknowledged widely as CDC’s responsibility, CDC has sometimes addressed mental health issues not typically thought of as CDC responsibilities. In such circumstances, a variety of strategies have been used to achieve the necessary paradigm shifts among staff, organizations, and CDC itself to justify and facilitate addressing mental health needs. An eighty-five member CDC-wide work group currently exists to foster collaboration and advancement in the field of mental health in support of CDC/ATSDR's mission.
This presentation includes case vignettes of organizational strategies for addressing problems on the mental health/ public health interface. Also drawing on experience from a recent internationally focused meeting on this topic, this presentation will stimulate consideration of how local, state and federal public health agencies in the United States are addressing the quickly disappearing boundaries between somatic and mental illness, and some of their challenges, successes and lessons learned.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:(1)Recognize mental health aspects of two specific diseases traditionally thought of as "medical" diseases, (2)Identify mental health-related gaps in traditional public health responses to these diseases, and (3)Articulate organizational change strategies that have been used by CDC to incorporate mental health components into the public health response to these diseases.
Keywords: Challenges and Opportunities, Change
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Dr. Safran is Chair of the CDC Mental Health Work Group and Chief Medical officer of CDC's Diabetes Program Branch.