Why the CDC Is in Atlanta: How the City Became America’s Public Health Hub

If you live in Atlanta, you’re probably used to hearing “CDC” almost as often as you hear “MARTA” or “Hartsfield-Jackson.” Many people know the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is headquartered here, but fewer know why this global health agency ended up in Atlanta instead of Washington, D.C., New York, or another major city.

Below is a clear look at why the CDC is in Atlanta, how it grew here, and what that means for residents, workers, and visitors in the metro area today.

How the CDC Ended Up in Atlanta

1. It started with malaria in the South

The CDC’s story in Atlanta begins in the 1940s with a very different agency: the Office of Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA).

• During World War II, malaria was a serious threat in the Southeastern United States, especially near military training bases and war-related industries.
• The federal government created MCWA to control malaria around these critical sites so troops could train and factories could operate.
• The Southeast, including Georgia, was one of the regions most affected, so it made sense to put operations close to where the problem was.

When MCWA needed a central location, Atlanta offered key advantages:

• It was already an important transportation hub in the Southeast.
• The climate and geography matched areas heavily affected by mosquito-borne diseases.
• Land and operating costs were lower than in major Northeastern cities.

As malaria control efforts evolved, MCWA transformed into the Communicable Disease Center (the original “CDC”) in 1946, and it remained in Atlanta instead of moving to D.C.

2. Support from Atlanta business and civic leaders

Atlanta’s role wasn’t just geographic—it was also political and economic.

Local leaders, especially those involved in railroads, business, and healthcare, worked to attract and keep federal health operations in the city. Atlanta already had a reputation for being a “city too busy to hate,” focused on growth and partnership, and that extended to public health.

This early cooperation helped cement Atlanta as the long-term home base for what would eventually become a massive national and global public health agency.

Why Atlanta Made Sense for a National Health Headquarters

Even after malaria was brought under control, Atlanta remained a strategic choice for the CDC as it took on more responsibilities.

Transportation and connectivity

Atlanta’s transportation network made it easier for the CDC to do its job:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, now one of the busiest airports in the world, allows rapid travel for CDC staff to respond to outbreaks inside and outside the U.S.
• Major interstates like I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 connect Atlanta to most of the eastern half of the country.

For an agency that needs to move people and samples quickly, Atlanta’s central location in the Southeast is a major operational advantage.

Space for secure labs and campuses

The CDC operates high-security laboratories and specialized research facilities. When these facilities were being built and expanded in the mid‑20th century, Atlanta could offer larger tracts of land at lower cost than many other major cities.

The main CDC campus in Atlanta is located near Emory University and the Druid Hills area, with additional facilities around the metro area. Having this room to grow has helped the CDC:

• Expand its research capabilities
• Build secure labs for handling dangerous pathogens
• Maintain a campus-style layout that many government facilities can’t achieve in more crowded cities

The CDC’s Presence in Today’s Atlanta

For people who live in or visit Atlanta, the CDC is more than just a name on the news—it’s a major local institution.

Main CDC locations in Atlanta

While access to CDC facilities is restricted for security reasons, it helps to know where the main campuses are located:

The CDC’s mailing address and main public phone line are typically listed through official government sources. Those contact points are oriented toward national inquiries rather than walk-in local services.

What the CDC in Atlanta actually does

From its Atlanta base, the CDC:

• Tracks disease outbreaks across the U.S. and globally
• Conducts laboratory research on infections, environmental health, and more
• Provides guidance to state and local health departments, including the Fulton County Board of Health and Georgia Department of Public Health
• Trains public health professionals, including many based in metro Atlanta

While most CDC work supports the entire country and international partners, Atlanta hospitals, universities, and health agencies benefit directly from this concentration of expertise.

How the CDC Shapes Public Health in Atlanta

Collaboration with local universities and hospitals

Atlanta is home to several major institutions that closely interact with the CDC, including:

• Emory University and the Rollins School of Public Health
• Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• Georgia State University, which has strong public health and policy programs

These organizations frequently collaborate with CDC staff on training, research, and public health initiatives. For residents, this means:

• Access to specialized expertise in infectious disease and public health
• A strong pipeline of trained professionals working in local clinics, hospitals, and agencies
• Atlanta being a center for public health education, attracting students and professionals from around the world

Local public health impact

Even though CDC is a federal agency, its presence influences how public health is practiced across the Atlanta region:

• Local agencies like the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Fulton County Board of Health, headquartered in Atlanta, often use CDC guidelines to shape programs on vaccination, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness.
• During high-profile outbreaks or emergencies, Atlanta can become a coordination hub, with conferences, briefings, and planning sessions taking place in and around the city.

For Atlanta residents, this can translate into:

• More rapid access to the latest public health recommendations
• Frequent training and exercises involving hospitals, EMS, and emergency management agencies in the region
• Opportunities for public health employment and internships not commonly available in other cities

If You Live in Atlanta: What You Should Know About the CDC Nearby

1. The CDC is not a walk‑in medical clinic

Even though the CDC is physically located in Atlanta, it does not provide routine medical care or walk-in services to the public.

If you live in Atlanta and need health services, you would typically go to:

• Your primary care provider or local clinic
• A hospital such as Grady Memorial, Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta, or Northside
• County health departments like:
  • Fulton County Board of Health
  • DeKalb County Board of Health

These local health agencies and medical providers may use CDC guidance, but they are the ones who actually interact with patients and communities.

2. Where to look for local public health information

If you’re in Atlanta and want health information that’s specifically tailored to the region, it’s helpful to know the difference between national and local roles:

• CDC (based in Atlanta):

  • Provides national and global guidance on diseases, prevention, and public health policy
  • Publishes educational materials, recommendations, and overviews

• Local and state agencies (across metro Atlanta):

  • Handle on-the-ground services, such as vaccinations, testing events, and health inspections
  • Communicate local alerts, such as extreme heat advisories or county-specific outbreak information

Residents usually rely on both: CDC for big-picture guidance and local agencies for specific actions and services close to home.

Why the CDC Has Stayed in Atlanta, Not Moved to D.C.

With many federal agencies headquartered in Washington, D.C., some people wonder why the CDC is still in Atlanta. Several reasons explain why it remains firmly rooted here:

1. Deeply established infrastructure

   • Decades of investment in labs, offices, and secure facilities in Atlanta would be difficult and costly to replicate elsewhere.

2. Strong professional ecosystem

   • Atlanta’s network of public health schools, hospitals, and research partners has grown up alongside the CDC. This creates a specialized workforce and knowledge base that’s uniquely concentrated here.

3. Operational advantages

   • Atlanta’s central location and international airport continue to make it ideal for rapid deployment and global outreach.

4. Community and identity

   • The CDC has become part of Atlanta’s identity, much like major sports teams, universities, and corporate headquarters. For many Atlantans, having the CDC here reinforces the city’s role as a leader in public health and science.

Quick Takeaways for Atlantans

• The CDC is in Atlanta because the agency’s roots began here in the 1940s with malaria control in the Southeast.
• Atlanta’s geography, transportation network, available land, and civic support made it the logical place to grow into a full national health agency.
• Today, the CDC’s presence helps make Atlanta a global center for public health research, training, and policy, even though it does not provide direct medical care to the public.
• Residents and visitors benefit from having top-tier health expertise, education, and collaboration concentrated in the metro area, while everyday health services remain the role of local clinics, hospitals, and county health departments.

Understanding why the CDC is in Atlanta highlights not just a historical decision, but the city’s ongoing role in shaping how public health is understood and managed across the country and around the world.