Since the beginning of our history, humankind, bacteria and viruses have lived and died together — literally. These are the things nightmares are made of. And here in Atlanta, at the David J. Sencer Centers for Disease Control Museum, visitors learn about the past and that continuing battle between humankind and disease.
Originally called the Global Health Odyssey Museum, it was established in 1996 as a way to educate the public on prevention-based health while sharing the heritage and accomplishments of the CDC, all under one roof.
And in essence, if any one of the scientists at the CDC needed a new occupation, they would fit very well into detective work. Because, that is precisely what they do here — old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases.
Think about it for a minute if you dare. Think about all the diseases in the past that have ravaged our population. Smallpox, tuberculosis, syphilis, polio, AIDS, influenza, bubonic plague, cholera, malaria, yellow fever, two noninfectious diseases (hemophilia and porphyria), and the plant disease behind the Irish Potato Famine—have altered human history.
And then, take a deep breath and realize the CDC has helped to control and eradicate many of them.
At the museum, you will see many things —artifacts from the past, multimedia exhibits, in-depth displays.
The CDC is continually working on ways to protect the public from disease. From eradication of Malaria in the United States in 1946 to their ongoing battles fighting autism and obesity, without this organization, many of us would not be here.
As long as we exist, diseases will exist. And as long as diseases exist, the CDC will be here, working hard to protect us.
We’ll see you next time on Stories, Secrets and Sagas!
