CDC Director: Agency must balance bioterror, chronic disease roles

ATLANTA - Although bioterrorism is a priority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency also must focus on long-term efforts against chronic diseases such as obesity and cancer. <br> <br> That&#39;s the word from Doctor Julie Gerberding, the CDC director. <br> <br> Speaking at the American Cancer Society&#39;s Greater Atlanta Leadership Council luncheon today, Gerberding said, ``It&#39;s a balancing act. Important public health issues don&#39;t always get the attention they deserve.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> She said she was proud of how the CDC stepped up to the plate in handling the October 2001 anthrax attacks and how states quickly created smallpox vaccination plans between November and January. <br> <br> CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said about 700 health workers in a dozen states received smallpox shots last month under the first phase of voluntary state vaccination campaigns. About 195,000 doses of the vaccine were shipped to 37 states. <br> <br> Gerberding said, ``It really did take a heroic effort on the part of state and local health departments. I think we are always going to be preparing (against terrorism). We will never be done, but we have made great strides.&#39;&#39;