The CDC Leaders

“Chronic disease prevention and control is a relatively new frontier in public health practice and offers the potential for dramatic improvements in quality of life and the elimination of health disparities."

—Janet Collins, PhD

Janet Collins, PhD

Acting Associate Director of Programs
Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Janet is a behavioral scientist with a PhD in educational psychology from Stanford University. Prior to coming to CDC, she taught and worked at UCLA in the area of educational measurement. She has held CDC leadership positions at the Branch, Division and for the last four years at the Center level as Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). Through its ten Divisions, NCCDPHP public health leadership and conducts policy, programs, and scientific work to address the leading causes of death and disability in the US including heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. Tobacco and alcohol use, nutrition, and physical activity form the basis for the prevention work of the Center.

Janet′s interests and publication record span applied science as well as program design and evaluation, with a special focus on the prevention of risk factors for disease. Most recently Janet has been asked to serve as Acting Associate Director for Program in the Office of Director. She will join Dr. Frieden′s senior team to provide leadership and guidance in promoting CDC priorities across the agency. The Associate Director for Program is a new position responsible for ensuring that CDC programs, priorities, and activities are collaborative and respond to the needs of CDC′s internal and external partners and constituents.