On Sept. 9, 1986, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) co-sponsored the first National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

Numerous suggestions for improved surveillance, applied research, and training related to chronic disease prevention and control were offered, as well as ideas on organizing and marketing chronic disease intervention programs.

The conference clearly identified a pressing need for a coalition of public health agencies and interested professional and voluntary organizations, as well as a coherent national agenda to combat chronic diseases.