At a glance
The Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria (DPDM) works to save and improve lives by controlling and preventing parasitic diseases in the United States and around the world.
Our mission
DPDM's mission is to protect the health of people around the world from parasitic diseases, including malaria, through evidence-based public health action.
Priorities
DPDM’s vision is a world free from parasitic disease. To support this vision, we focus on three strategic priority goals:
- Ensure prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasitic diseases in the United States
- Reduce the global burden of malaria
- Reduce the global burden of priority neglected tropical diseases
Why it matters
Parasitic diseases cause devastating health and economic effects for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the world. These diseases can be spread from insects or animals, through blood or organ donations, from mother to baby, or through contaminated food or water. Globally, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and other parasites lead to serious illness, disability, and death.
Our work
We focus on neglected tropical diseases that can be controlled through mass drug administration or other simple, low-cost interventions.
- Monitor rates of parasitic diseases to track trends and detect potential outbreaks in the United States
- Conduct studies to assess the impact of parasitic diseases and understand risk factors
- Develop recommendations to prevent and control parasitic diseases
- Provide consultations to healthcare providers on diagnosis and treatment of parasitic infections
- Conduct confirmatory laboratory testing and diagnostic training
- Release life-saving treatments that are not commercially available
- Conduct research to improve programs and epidemiologic, laboratory, and vector control tools
Leadership
Christopher R. Braden, MD, serves as the acting director of the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.