Kara Sears
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. The department was created to protect the health of the US population and provide essential human services. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on October 17, 1979, when its education functions were transferred to the newly created United States Department of Education under the Department of Education Organization Act.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
| Type | Cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government |
| Motto | Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America |
| Formation | The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was renamed to HHS on October 17, 1979, and officially arrived on May 4, 1980 |
| Functions | Protecting the health of US citizens and providing essential human services |
| Administration | Secretary of Health and Human Services, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate |
| Budget | $1.293 trillion for fiscal year 2020 |
| Role | Protecting the US against bioterrorism events, implementing healthcare reforms, fostering advances in medicine and social services, and more |
| Initiatives | Healthy People 2030, Federal Advisory Committees, partnerships with private sector organizations, and more |
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What You'll Learn
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW)
The creation of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked a reorganization of HEW's responsibilities, with its education functions transferred to the Department of Education. HHS retained oversight of crucial agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the Public Health Service, and the Family Support Administration.
The mission of HHS, as the successor to HEW, is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans. It aims to achieve this by providing effective health and human services and advancing medical, public health, and social services through scientific progress. HHS is led by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
As part of its organizational structure, HHS comprises a collection of agencies and offices under the Public Health Service. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service within the Public Health Service, is tasked with addressing public health matters. This includes implementing strategies to safeguard the nation's health, safety, and well-being.
The evolution from HEW to HHS reflects the changing needs and priorities of the nation, with a dedicated focus on health and human services. HHS continues to play a vital role in protecting and promoting the health and well-being of Americans, adapting to emerging challenges, and driving advancements in the fields of medicine, public health, and social services.
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Renamed in 1979
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. Its mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services and fostering advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.
Before the creation of a separate federal Department of Education in 1979, the HHS was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). The Department of Education Organization Act of 1979 transferred the education functions of the HEW to the newly created Department of Education. This left the HHS in charge of the Social Security Administration, agencies constituting the Public Health Service, and Family Support Administration.
The HHS was officially renamed on May 4, 1980, and has since been responsible for protecting the health of the US population and providing essential human services. The HHS is administered by the secretary of health and human services, who is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the US Senate. The department also plays a role in protecting the US against bioterrorism events, such as the nation's first bioterrorism attack involving the delivery of anthrax through the mail.
The HHS comprises a collection of agencies and offices that fall under the Public Health Service. The PHS is also home to the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), led by the surgeon general. The operating agencies that are part of the PHS include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration), the Social Security Administration (made independent in 1995), and the Office of Education (made independent in 1980).
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Protecting the US from bioterrorism
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created on October 17, 1979, under the Department of Education Organization Act, to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America".
HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events. In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy in response to the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. This strategy was implemented after a 2015 report found that the 2009 National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats was inadequate in protecting the US. The new strategy adopted five central recommendations:
- Creating a single, centralized approach to biodefense
- Implementing an interdisciplinary approach that brings together policymakers, scientists, health experts, and academics
- Drawing up a comprehensive strategy to address human, plant, and animal health
- Creating a defense against global and domestic biological threats
- Creating a proactive policy to combat the misuse and abuse of advanced biotechnology
In addition to the HHS's efforts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also plays a crucial role in detecting and responding to bioterrorism. The DHS BioWatch Program, established in 2003, provides early warning of a bioterrorist attack in more than 30 major metropolitan areas across the country. This program involves a large network of stakeholders from various fields, including public health, emergency management, and law enforcement, who collaborate to detect and coordinate a response to a bioterrorism attack. The DHS is constantly improving its programs and technology to stay ahead of evolving terrorism tactics and better address a wide range of bioterrorism threats.
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HHS reorganisation in 2025
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created to protect the health of US citizens and provide essential human services. The Department of Education Organization Act, signed into law in 1979, led to the creation of the HHS. Before this, it was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).
The HHS is set to undergo a significant reorganisation in 2025, with a planned reduction in the number of top-level divisions from 28 to 15. The reorganisation will involve merging five existing agencies into a new Administration for a Healthy America, refocusing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on infectious disease programs, and disbanding the Administration for Community Living. The plan also includes a reduction in the workforce, with a total of about 20,000 full-time employees expected to be cut across the department.
The HHS's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services. To achieve this, the department partners with the private sector, including regulated industries, academic institutions, trade organisations, and advocacy groups. Through these partnerships, the HHS aims to minimise burdens and maximise benefits for the American public.
The HHS also plays a role in protecting the US against bioterrorism events. In 2018, the department released a new National Biodefense Strategy, which was informed by the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. The strategy included five central recommendations, such as creating a single, centralised approach to biodefense and addressing human, plant, and animal health.
The department is led by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. The HHS comprises various agencies and offices, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration, which was made independent in 1995.
The HHS's programs are administered by the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions, Operating Divisions, and Regional Offices. The department also has a press office that releases the latest updates and information.
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HHS enforces federal laws
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America".
HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events. In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy, which was required by the passage of the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. The strategy included five central recommendations, including creating a single centralized approach to biodefense, implementing an interdisciplinary approach, and creating a proactive policy to combat the misuse and abuse of advanced biotechnology.
HHS also works with the private sector, including regulated industries, academic institutions, trade organizations, and advocacy groups, to accomplish its mission. This includes community initiatives and grantees in the private sector, such as academic and research institutions, and community-based nonprofit organizations, which provide many services at the local level.
HHS's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services and fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.
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Frequently asked questions
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was created by the Department of Education Organization Act, which was signed into law in 1979. This Act provided for a separate Department of Education, and the existing Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) became the HHS.
The Department of Health and Human Services officially came into existence on May 4, 1980.
The mission of the Department of Health and Human Services is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services. This includes fostering advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.
The Department of Health and Human Services is led by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary is a member of the United States Cabinet and is appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the Senate.
