FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
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Peace Corps
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Phone 202.692.2230
Fax 202.692.2201
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Peace Corps Forms Partnership with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
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Today, the Peace Corps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony held at the
Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters.
“While the Peace Corps and the CDC have a long and valued history of
collaboration, today’s event is a milestone for both organizations. Together,
our two agencies have been successful in providing mutual benefits for Peace
Corps volunteers, the public health community, and the international health
community, particularly during the last two decades,” said Peace Corps Director
Gaddi H. Vasquez.
Working together, the Peace Corps and the CDC will continue to face global
health challenges. Specific areas of possible collaboration include work in:
vaccine-preventable diseases, maternal child health, infectious diseases,
chronic diseases, nutrition, reproductive health, emerging health issues,
tobacco use prevention and control, injuries, occupational health, environmental
health, health promotion and disease prevention, and health of displaced
populations.
“This is more than a partnership - this represents a true synergy where we
are taking the best of two agencies and blending them together in-country, as
well as on the policy level in Washington. Each party cannot do alone what they
together accomplish," stated Dr. Gerberding, Director of the CDC.
The CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease
prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and health
education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United
States. The CDC is responsible for controlling the introduction and spread of
infectious diseases, and provides consultation and assistance to other nations
and international agencies to assist in improving their disease prevention and
control, environmental health, and health promotion activities.
Since 1961, more than 168,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps
working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education and
awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and
agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years
of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.
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