The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a federal agency that is responsible for protecting the health and well-being of Americans. It is the largest department in the U.S. federal government and is composed of 11 agencies that carry out a wide range of programs and services related to public health, social services, and scientific research.
Some of the major programs and initiatives administered by HHS include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is responsible for preventing and controlling diseases and injuries
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for regulating food, drugs, and medical devices
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the country's primary medical research agency
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is responsible for promoting mental health and preventing substance abuse
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which is responsible for improving access to health care services for underserved populations
HHS is headed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is a member of the President's Cabinet. The department is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has a staff of over 70,000 employees.