What Is the U.S. Depa💦rtment ofꦇ Health and Human Services (HHS)?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a Cabinet-level government department that provides health and human services and promotes research in social services, medicine, and public health. The HHS achieves its goals through 12 agencies that manage more than 100 programs. The agencies include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

Understanding the U.S. Department of Health and 😼Human Services (HH🌠S)

The Department of Health and Human Services was originally founded as a Cabinet-level department in 1953 as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). In 1979, the Department of Education Organization Act created a separate Department of Education. The remaining agencies were reorganized as the Department of Health and Human Services on May 4, 1980.

The HHS implements parts of the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Affordable Care Act, enforces the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:HIPAA Privacy Rule, ensures that human-subject research conducted by Department-funded institutions obeys regulations, and operates the Head Start program for children. It is also the largest grant-making agency in the country.

HHS Agencies and Offices

The Department of Health and Human Services aims to "protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves." 

To achieve its mission, the HHS has 12 operating divisions, which include eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies, all of which offer a variety o🌠f health and human services. The following is a description of some of them.

Centers for Disease Control and Preven🔥tion (CDC)

The CDC is the United States' primary health protection agency. It conducts research and analysis to protect the population from health threats. The CDC focuses on science and technology to prevent diseases and manages the nation's biggest health problems that cause death and disability. The CDC also promotes healthy and safe behaviors, communities, and environments.

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

The ACL focuses on the care and health of older adults, people with disabilities, families, and caregivers. The ACL manages many programs that provide assistance on health and wellness. The ACL protects rights, prevents abuse, funds research, and strengthens the networks of community-based organizations.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA protects the public health by "ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation." The FDA also regulates tobacco products to protect the public and reduce the use of tobacco products by minors.

Other Divisions

The other operating divisions of the D🐈epartment of Health and Human Services (HHS) inclඣude the following:

• Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• Indian Health Service (IHS)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

The HHS oversees more than 100 programs that consist of social service, civil rights, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:healthcare privacy, disaster preparedness, and health-related research.

The various social service programs help military families, senior citizens, and people with 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:low income and disabilities. The HHS oversees 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:healthcare rights in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA protects patients' medical information and workers' health insurance when unemployed and sets guidelines surrounding health insurance. 

The Bottom Line

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has 12 operating divisions and over 100 programs to promote the health and well-being of U.S. citizens. The HHS also supports research in social services, medicine, and public health. Some of the divisions of the HHS include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).