CDC Atlanta: What to Know About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, you’re in the same city as one of the most important public health agencies in the world: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Whether you’re curious about what the CDC actually does in Atlanta, how to visit the campus, or how locals interact with the agency, this guide walks through the essentials.

What Is the CDC in Atlanta?

The CDC is the United States’ national public health agency, and its headquarters are in Atlanta. From here, it coordinates work on:

• Infectious diseases (like flu, COVID-19, and others)
• Chronic diseases (such as diabetes and heart disease)
• Injury prevention and emergency preparedness
• Environmental and occupational health
• Global health initiatives

For Atlanta residents, this means:

• Major public health decisions affecting the country are being made right here.
• Many Atlantans work at or alongside the CDC in public health, research, analytics, and support roles.
• The CDC campus is a familiar landmark along I-85 and near Emory University.

Where Is CDC Atlanta Located?

The CDC has several facilities in the Atlanta area, but its primary headquarters campus is in Druid Hills, near Emory University.

Main CDC Atlanta Headquarters

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

Key points for locals and visitors:

• Located near the Clifton Road corridor, just east of downtown Atlanta.
• Close to Emory University, the Emory University Hospital area, and the Virginia-Highland / Druid Hills neighborhoods.
• Highly secure federal property; public access is limited and controlled.

Other CDC-related sites in the Atlanta area can include specialized labs, administrative buildings, and leased office spaces, but the Clifton Road campus is the central, most recognized location.

Is CDC Atlanta Open to the Public?

The CDC is not a walk-in campus like a typical office building or museum. Security is strict, and access is generally limited to:

• Authorized employees and contractors
• Approved visitors with pre-arranged meetings
• Registered individuals for specific events or trainings, when offered

For everyday Atlanta residents:

• You cannot freely walk into CDC Atlanta to ask health questions or get medical care.
• There is no public emergency room, clinic, or testing site on campus.
• Public services are usually accessed online, through state or local health departments, or through your healthcare provider.

If you’re interested in public health or want to learn more, there are often educational materials, online tools, and public resources made available by the CDC, but not usually an in-person “visitor center” experience on campus.

How People in Atlanta Typically Interact With CDC Resources

Even if you never step foot on the CDC campus, you may interact with CDC-related information or programs in Atlanta through:

1. Local Health Departments

Many CDC guidelines are carried out locally by:

• Fulton County Board of Health
• DeKalb County Board of Health
• The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH)

These agencies handle services like:

• Immunizations and vaccination clinics
• Local disease monitoring and outbreak responses
• Health education and community programs

They use CDC recommendations, but they are your main public-facing contact for services in the Atlanta area.

2. Hospitals, Clinics, and Doctors’ Offices

Healthcare providers across Atlanta often follow CDC guidance for:

• Vaccination schedules
• Infection control and prevention
• Travel-related health recommendations
• Screening and testing protocols

If your doctor mentions “current CDC guidance,” they’re typically referring to recommendations developed right here in the Atlanta-based headquarters.

3. Schools, Workplaces, and Community Organizations

In Atlanta, CDC-referenced guidance can shape:

• School health policies and vaccination requirements (in coordination with state authorities)
• Workplace health and safety measures
• Guidance for community events, shelters, or local emergency responses

While the CDC provides the framework, local leaders decide how it’s implemented in the Atlanta context.

Does CDC Atlanta Provide Medical Care to the Public?

No. CDC Atlanta is a research, surveillance, and public health policy agency, not a public clinic or hospital.

For personal medical needs in Atlanta, you would typically use:

• Your primary care provider or pediatrician
• Urgent care centers
• Hospitals such as Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, or Northside Hospital
• County health departments for certain services like immunizations, STI testing, and some screening programs

CDC resources are meant to support your healthcare providers and public health agencies, not replace them.

CDC Atlanta and Public Health Jobs in the City

Because the CDC is headquartered here, Atlanta is a major hub for public health careers. Residents often look to CDC-related opportunities in:

• Epidemiology and disease surveillance
• Data science and biostatistics
• Laboratory science
• Health communication and education
• Policy analysis, program management, and operations
• IT, security, facilities, and administrative support

Many positions are based at the Clifton Road campus or nearby facilities. Others may be hybrid or field-based with an Atlanta duty station.

If you live in metro Atlanta and have training or interest in public health, public policy, lab science, or data, the CDC is one of the largest and most influential local employers in this space.

Getting to CDC Atlanta: Transportation Basics

Because the campus is secure, you’ll only need directions if you have official business or a scheduled visit. In that case, people typically use:

• Car: Access via Clifton Road NE, with visitor instructions usually given in advance.
• Public transit:
  • MARTA rail to stations such as Decatur, Lindbergh Center, or Five Points, then bus or shuttle (exact options can vary).
  • Many CDC staff and visitors use a combination of MARTA and shuttle services arranged through the agency or nearby institutions.

If you’re an Atlanta resident interviewing or starting a job with the CDC, you’ll usually receive specific transportation and parking instructions from the agency.

How CDC Atlanta Connects With Local and State Agencies

From an Atlanta perspective, the CDC is part of a larger public health network that includes:

• Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) – handles statewide programs and often collaborates closely with CDC.
• Local county health departments – manage services for residents in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and other metro counties.
• Academic partners – especially Emory University, but also other local universities with public health or medical programs.
• Local healthcare systems and community organizations – implement and adapt CDC-backed programs at the neighborhood level.

This network affects Atlanta residents through:

• Vaccination campaigns
• Emergency responses (for example, severe weather events or disease outbreaks)
• Health screening initiatives and community health programs

CDC Atlanta’s role is mostly guidance, analysis, and coordination, while direct services are delivered by state, local, and clinical partners.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Curious About the CDC

If you’re a visitor and simply interested in CDC Atlanta as a point of interest:

• You’ll likely see the headquarters from nearby roads but won’t be able to tour the secure areas.
• Public tours and exhibits, when available or announced, are typically pre-arranged and may be limited.
• Many people combine an interest in CDC with nearby attractions, such as:
  • Emory University and its museum and green spaces
  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Druid Hills
  • Intown neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, or Inman Park

If educational exhibits or public events are offered at any time, visitors usually learn about them through official announcements, local event listings, or partnering institutions.

Quick Reference: CDC Atlanta at a Glance

When Should an Atlantan Contact CDC vs. Local Health Agencies?

In everyday situations, Atlanta residents are much more likely to contact:

• Local health departments for shots, screenings, and community services
• Healthcare providers for personal medical concerns
• State agencies for statewide programs and regulations

The CDC is more of a national-level resource that shapes the information your local providers and health officials rely on.

If you’re in Atlanta and wondering where to start with a health-related question, a practical approach is:

1. For personal health issues: contact your doctor, urgent care, or hospital.
2. For community services (vaccines, testing, screenings): contact your county health department or the Georgia Department of Public Health.
3. For general information on diseases, prevention, and guidance: use CDC’s educational materials and tools, many of which originate from the Atlanta headquarters but are made for the public nationwide.

This way, you benefit from the CDC’s expertise through local, accessible services and providers in the Atlanta area.