Which of the following best describes the role of the CDC?

The role of the CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is best described by its primary mission to control and prevent infectious diseases. The organization plays a critical role in responding to disease outbreaks, providing public health information, conducting research, and promoting preventive health measures to protect communities from various health threats, particularly infectious diseases.

This focus on infectious diseases includes surveillance, tracking disease patterns, and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of diseases on public health. The CDC also provides guidelines and recommendations to healthcare providers, governments, and the public to help manage and prevent the spread of diseases.

While technical assistance to hospitals is an important aspect of public health, it is more of a support function rather than the core mission of the CDC. Similarly, regulating healthcare costs and certifying medical practitioners fall outside the main responsibilities of the CDC, which is more centered on health promotion and disease prevention rather than the administration or regulation of healthcare systems.