The thesis of the Pro side: CDC funding should be raised to fight emerging diseases.
This side is defended by Stephen Calderwood MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
His argument:
1. Widespread outbreaks, such as H1N1 pandemic influenza, have emerged in the past few years, but they also pose a threat for the future, for instance the ongoing Ebola outbreak. These infectious agents take a large toll on patients and their families. We cannot be unprepared for these infectious threats, both emerging and re-emerging.
2. There are threats that have been with us for decades, for example antibiotic-resistant bacteria, U.S. health's "ticking time bombs". Many people are undiagnosed or lack treatment for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C, which are putting a strain on our health care system. If we do not make a greater effort to prevent and treat these diseases, the problem may become so large that we no longer have the ability to respond.
3. Instead of relying on emergency funding when a new infectious disease threat emerges, a more stable system with long-term planning must be produced so that we can better detect and respond to these threats.
4. The CDC provides infectious disease surveillance and coordinates preparedness and response efforts. Therefore, we count on the CDC to respond when a threat emerges. Despite this, the agency's funding was cut nearly $600 million. The best way to secure Americans against microbial threats is through a public-health infrastructure that is sustainable and has stable financing.
Analysis:
Outbreaks have posed a serious threat over the past few years, and it is imperative that the United States has a dependable agency to prepare for potential threats, be able to detect them, and have response efforts immediately ready when we need them. Calderwood's argument supports raising CDC funding to fight emerging diseases, and he makes a strong case. Calderwood states how the CDC is the primary resource for detecting and handling serious outbreaks. Therefore, the agency needs to have the proper funding to be able to provide these services and keep Americans safe from these threats. He illustrates how there are both emerging and re-emerging threats, as well as threats that have strained our health care system for decades. Without these resources, many families will be greatly affected, and the problem may become so large that a response will not be able to solve the problem. Hence, a stable system with long-term planning must be available, and raising CDC funding will help achieve such a system.
