Question

Describe the role of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and list all of it's divisions with a description of the role of each. Be sure to cite all references used.

Answer 1

The United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) aims to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. These federal programs consist of social service programs, civil rights and healthcare privacy programs, disaster. well-being of America. Before the separate federal Department of Education was created in 1979, it was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). HHS is administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The United States Public Health Service (PHS) is the main division of the HHS and is led by the Assistant Secretary for Health. The current Secretary, Alex Azar, assumed office on January 29, 2018, upon his appointment by President Trump and confirmation by the Senate.The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the uniformed service of the PHS, is led by the Surgeon General who is responsible for addressing matters concerning public health as authorized by the Secretary or by the Assistant Secretary of Health in addition to his or her primary mission of administering the Commissioned Corps.
HHS is responsible for almost a quarter of all Federal outlays and administers more grant dollars than all other Federal agencies combined. Eleven operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies, administer HHS's programs. The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services. HHS is the U.S. Government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. HHS accomplishes its mission through programs and initiatives that cover a wide spectrum of activities, serving and protecting Americans at every stage of life, from conception. HHS is responsible for almost a quarter of all Federal outlays and administers more grant dollars than all other Federal agencies combined.Eleven operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies, administer HHS’s programs. While HHS is a domestic agency working to protect and promote the health and well-being of the American people, the interconnectedness of our world requires that HHS engage globally to fulfill its mission. In addition, staff divisions provide leadership, direction, and policy guidance to the Department. Improving health and human services outcomes cannot be achieved by the Department on its own; collaborations are critical to achieve our goals and objectives.HHS collaborates closely with other Federal departments and agencies on cross-cutting topics. For example, through the President’s Management Council, the Department engages with other Federal departments to identify and adopt best practices on performance and management initiatives. Another example, focused on mission critical efforts, is the Federal Interagency Workgroup that led the Healthy People 2020 development effort, bringing together Federal staff from the Department with partners in the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Education.Federal Advisory Committeesenable the Department to collaborate with other Federal departments and agencies, as well as members of the public, on high-priority issues. For example, the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee, established by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, convenes senior leaders from 10 Federal agencies including HHS; the Departments of Justice, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, and Education; and the Social Security Administration, along with 14 non-Federal public members, to improve Federal coordination of efforts to address the needs of adults with serious mental illness and youth with serious emotional disturbance.Importantly, the Federal Government has a unique legal and political government-to-government relationship with Tribal governments and a special obligation to provide services for American Indians and Alaska Natives based on these individuals relationship to Tribal governments. Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, requires consultation with Indian Tribal governments when considering policies that affect Tribal communities. The Department’s Tribal Consultation Policy, first developed with Tribal participation in 2004, was updated in 2010. HHS works with Tribal governments, Indian organizations, and other Tribal organizations to facilitate greater consultation and coordination between States and Tribes on health and human services issues.HHS works closely with State, local, and U.S. territorial governments, providing funding for program operations and technical assistance. HHS also fosters critical global relationships, coordinates international engagement across HHS and the U.S. Government, and provides leadership and expertise in global health diplomacy and policy to contribute to a safer, healthier world.
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 this mission, HHS has 11 operating divisions, which conduct various research. This includes eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies, all of which offer a variety of health and human services. These operating divisions include Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Administration for Community Living (ACL); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Indian Health Service (IHS); National Institutes of Health (NIH); and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
ACF-The Administration for Children & Families promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities through a range of educational and supportive programs in partnership with states, tribes, and community organizations.
ACL-The Administration for Community Living increases access to community support and resources for the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities.
AHRQ-The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within HHS and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
ATSDR-The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry prevents exposure to toxic substances and the adverse health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of environmental pollution.
CDC-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the Public Health Service, protects the public health of the nation by providing leadership and direction in the prevention and control of diseases and other preventable conditions, and responding to public health emergencies.
CMS-The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services combines the oversight of the Medicare program, the federal portion of the Medicaid program and State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and related quality assurance activities.
FDA-The Food and Drug Administration, part of the Public Health Service, ensures that food is safe, pure, and wholesome; human and animal drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe.
HRSA-The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the Public Health Service, provides health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.
IHS-The Indian Health Service, part of the Public Health Service, provides American Indians and Alaska Natives with comprehensive health services by developing and managing programs to meet their health needs.
NIH-The National Institutes of Health, part of the Public Health Service, supports biomedical and behavioral research with the United States and abroad, conducts research in its own laboratories and clinics, trains promising young researchers, and promotes collecting and sharing medical knowledge.
SAMHSA-The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the Public Health Service, improves access and reduces barriers to high quality, effective programs and services for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for addictive and mental disorders, as well as for their families and communities.