One of CDC’s strengths that allows for the accomplishment of this mission is the development of health promotion and health prevention strategies that are based on sound scientific knowledge. Excellence in science is a strategic imperative at CDC. This imperative mandates that we practice evidence-based science grounded in sound peer-reviewed research and that we assure a strong science base for public health action.

The Office of the Chief Science Officer (OCSO) leads the agency in scientific vision by enhancing the relevance, quality, and integrity of science, and by fostering successful scientific collaborations. The office upholds scientific ideals, establishes an environment thriving with scientific excellence, innovation and integrity, learning and discovery, and upholds the timely dissemination and translation into practice of scientific information, innovations, and technology.

The Chief Science Officer (CSO) is the primary advisor to the CDC Director on scientific and medical matters and provides agency-wide scientific leadership.