Atlanta’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): What Locals and Visitors Should Know

When people talk about the “Atlanta Disease Control Center,” they are almost always referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – the federal public health agency headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. If you live in metro Atlanta, visit often, or are just curious about how public health is coordinated here, understanding the CDC’s local presence can be very useful.

This guide explains what the CDC is, where it is in Atlanta, how it connects with local health services, and what it means for everyday life in the city.

What Is the CDC and Why Is It in Atlanta?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the United States’ national public health agency. It focuses on:

• Tracking and studying diseases
• Supporting state and local health departments
• Providing guidance on disease prevention and control
• Responding to outbreaks and public health emergencies

The CDC’s headquarters are in Atlanta, largely for historical reasons. It grew out of a malaria-control program in the Southeast after World War II and has remained here as it expanded into a global health organization.

For Atlanta, this means the city is home to:

• A major public health research and operations center
• Thousands of public health professionals and scientists
• A network of partnerships with Georgia’s Department of Public Health, Fulton County Board of Health, city agencies, and local universities

Key CDC Campuses and Locations in Atlanta

The CDC is not a single building. It operates from multiple campuses in and around Atlanta. While these locations are not general walk-in clinics, it can be helpful to know where they are and what they do.

Main CDC Headquarters – Clifton Road Campus

CDC Roybal Campus (Clifton Road)
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

This is the best-known CDC headquarters campus near the Emory University area. It houses:

• Senior leadership and administrative offices
• Many disease-specific programs and labs
• Communications and emergency response operations

This location is high-security and not open for general medical care. Visitors are typically limited to invited guests, staff, and official business, with controlled entry.

CDC Chamblee Campus

CDC Chamblee Campus
4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341

Located to the northeast of central Atlanta, this campus focuses heavily on:

• Chronic disease prevention
• Environmental health programs
• Global migration and quarantine operations

Again, this is not a public clinic; it is an operational and research site.

Other CDC-Related Sites Around Atlanta

The CDC may also use space in or near:

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta for meetings, training, and collaborations
• Partner institutions such as Emory University, Georgia State University, and other medical centers for joint research and public health projects

These sites are generally not places you would go for personal medical treatment but are part of the broader public health infrastructure in Atlanta.

Is the “Atlanta Disease Control Center” a Public Clinic?

No. A common misconception is that the CDC functions like a hospital or local health department clinic. In reality:

• The CDC does not provide routine medical care to the public.
• It does not operate an emergency room, urgent care, or walk-in testing clinic for general patients.
• Its work is primarily research, surveillance, guidance, and support for health professionals and agencies.

If you are in Atlanta and need testing, vaccines, or treatment, you will typically use:

• A local clinic or hospital
• The Fulton County Board of Health or another county health department
• A primary care provider or urgent care center

The CDC may issue guidance that helps shape the services these places offer, but the services themselves are delivered locally.

Where to Go in Atlanta for Vaccines, Testing, and Public Health Services

If you were searching for the “Atlanta Disease Control Center” because you need a vaccine, test, or disease-related service, your best options will usually be local health departments or clinics, not the CDC.

Local Public Health Departments Serving Atlanta

Depending on where you live or stay in the metro area, you may interact with:

Fulton County Board of Health (serving most of the City of Atlanta)
Frequently offers:

• Routine immunizations
• STD/HIV testing and services
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening and follow-up
• Family planning and other public health services

DeKalb County Board of Health
(Especially relevant if you are on the east side of Atlanta or near Decatur/Emory):

• Similar services, including vaccines, testing, and maternal/child health programs

Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Gwinnett–Newton–Rockdale Health Departments, and others
(serving the broader metro region)

These agencies are the front line for public health in Atlanta, while the CDC provides national and technical support behind the scenes.

How the CDC Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Even if you never visit a CDC campus, living in Atlanta means you are close to the center of many public health decisions and innovations.

Examples of CDC Impact in the City

• Disease guidance: Local providers in Atlanta often follow CDC recommendations when offering vaccines, screening tests, or infection-control measures.
• Emergency response: During outbreaks or public health emergencies, Atlanta is a key hub for national response efforts, which can influence local planning, resources, and information.
• Partnerships: The CDC collaborates frequently with Atlanta-based universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, supporting research and training that benefit both the region and the wider world.
• Workforce presence: Many Atlanta residents work at or with the CDC, contributing to a strong local community of public health professionals.

CDC Museum and Visitor Opportunities in Atlanta

While most CDC facilities are restricted, there is one notable public-facing space of interest to residents, students, and visitors.

David J. Sencer CDC Museum

Located on the Clifton Road campus, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum offers:

• Exhibits on the history of disease control and public health
• Displays on major CDC responses (like smallpox eradication and past outbreaks)
• Educational programs, occasional special events, and learning resources

The museum can be a good stop for:

• Students interested in science or public health
• Visitors wanting to understand the CDC’s role
• Atlanta residents curious about the history of disease prevention

Access procedures and hours can change, especially around security or public health concerns, so it is wise to check current entry requirements, ID rules, and opening times in advance using official CDC contact channels.

When and How to Contact the CDC from Atlanta

Most individuals do not need to contact the CDC directly for routine medical questions. Usually, you would first reach out to:

• Your healthcare provider
• A local hospital or urgent care
• Your county health department

However, if you are in Atlanta and need general public health information or clarification on CDC recommendations, you can use the CDC’s national contact options, such as:

• A general public information phone line
• Public information email forms or hotlines, listed through official CDC communication channels

These contacts are designed for broad informational support, not for emergency medical care or personal diagnosis.

👉 In an emergency in Atlanta, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, not the CDC.

How the CDC Works with Atlanta’s Health System

The CDC’s presence in Atlanta creates close working relationships with local and state partners, including:

• Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) – coordinates statewide public health policies and programs, often with CDC guidance.
• Fulton County and other metro health departments – handle community-level services such as clinics, vaccinations, and local disease surveillance.
• Major medical systems – such as large Atlanta hospitals and academic centers, which may participate in CDC-supported studies or initiatives.

This collaboration can influence:

• Preparedness planning for hurricanes, pandemics, or other emergencies affecting Atlanta
• Data collection and tracking of diseases in the metro region
• Pilot projects for new public health strategies, sometimes started in or near Atlanta

Quick Reference: CDC vs. Local Health Services in Atlanta

If You’re New to Atlanta or Visiting and Curious About the CDC

If you are new to the city, the CDC is a major part of Atlanta’s identity, especially in the Emory/Clifton Road area. You may notice:

• Buildings and signage marked “CDC” near Druid Hills and surrounding neighborhoods
• A strong presence of health-related organizations and professionals in nearby areas
• Occasional local news coverage connecting Atlanta directly to national public health issues

For visitors interested in science and health, the CDC Museum and the broader Emory area can offer educational stops. For everyday health needs, though, you will use the same types of services as any other city: local doctors, clinics, hospitals, and public health departments.

In short, when you see or hear “Atlanta Disease Control Center,” you are really talking about the CDC’s national headquarters in Atlanta—a research and coordination center, not a public hospital. For personal care, testing, or vaccines in Atlanta, you will rely on local healthcare providers and county health departments, which often follow and implement the CDC’s guidance right here in the city.