Strategic Transformation in Public Health: In the Case of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Abstract

Current public health debate centers on the content and extent of health problems, appropriate solutions, and acceptable practices. This essay describes and analyzes how a number of countries are answering these questions using an emerging conceptual framework of organizational change. Special attention is paid to the recent strategic transformation of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This process of organizational change used extensive deliberation among stakeholders over the organization's goals, and based on these goals, implemented a novel matrix structure for increased effectiveness. However, this essay reveals a number of short-term costs associated with this form of organizational goal setting and change.

Keywords: Public health, organizational change, reorganization, strategy

JEL Classification: D73, I18, D23, H11