Which agency is known for conducting and supporting public health activities in the United States?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the primary agency in the United States responsible for conducting and supporting public health activities. Established to protect public health, the CDC focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response to public health threats.

The CDC's wide-ranging activities include monitoring health trends, conducting research, providing health education, and developing recommendations for disease control and prevention. It plays a crucial role in managing public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other health crises. The agency's expertise in epidemiology and public health data is fundamental in crafting responses to both urgent and long-term health challenges facing the U.S. population.

This distinct role differentiates the CDC from other agencies mentioned. For example, while the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is heavily focused on biomedical research, the FDA deals primarily with the regulation of food safety, medications, and medical devices, and the Census Bureau primarily gathers demographic data. The specific mission and comprehensive approach of the CDC make it the principal agency for public health activities in the United States.