4.2: U.S. Public Health Agencies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a federal executive department responsible for promoting and protecting the health and well-being of all Americans. Its primary mission is to enhance the health and human services available to the U.S. population, ensure the safety of food and drugs, advance medical research, and administer various social welfare and healthcare programs. HHS plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing policies related to healthcare, public health, and human services in the United States.
The department oversees a wide range of agencies and programs, including but not limited to:
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food, drugs, medical devices, vaccines, and other health-related products. Nutritional supplements and herbs are regulated by the FDA but not in the same way as drugs.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Administers the nation's major healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which provide healthcare coverage to millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty..
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH): The primary agency for conducting and supporting medical research, including funding research into diseases, public health, and medical innovation.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Focuses on public health and disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and the tracking of public health data. This is the nation’s primary epidemiological center, which conducts surveillance of current health issues affecting Americans.
- The Administration for Children and Families (ACF): Administers various programs and services aimed at promoting the economic and social well-being of children, families, and communities.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Works to improve mental health and reduce the impact of substance abuse and addiction in the United States.
- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): Conducts research to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare services in the U.S.
- The Indian Health Service (IHS): Provides healthcare services to American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
HHS as it exists today was established in 1979. However, its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when the federal government started to take an active interest in public health and welfare issues. The predecessor agencies and departments that eventually merged to form HHS include the United States Public Health Service, the Social Security Administration, and various other federal agencies responsible for health and welfare programs.
Over the years, HHS has played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policy, conducting research, and administering various programs to improve public health and human services across the United States. It has been instrumental in the implementation of significant healthcare reforms, including the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and continues to address evolving health and social welfare challenges facing the nation.
Let’s get a little deeper into a few of these agencies within HHS.