About HHS (2024)

FAQs

What does the HHS do in simple terms? ›

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.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Policy Committee has responsibility for the development of policies and proposals relating to the following: aging and long-term care, alcohol and drug programs, mental health, medical care for the indigent, public health, county hospitals, the California Work Opportunity and ...

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 (OpDivs), including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies, administer HHS's programs.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) required the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop regulations protecting the privacy and security of certain health information.

HHS has made significant progress in restoring the SNS to pre-pandemic levels: 747 million N95 respirators (59 times pre-pandemic levels); 274 million surgical and procedure face masks (8.5 times pre-pandemic levels); 19.6 million face shields (two times pre-pandemic levels); 59.6 million gowns and coveralls (12.5 ...

The HHS Secretary has legal authority to take action to prepare for and respond to public health and medical emergencies under several statutes, primarily including the Public Health Service (PHS) Act; Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; and the Social Security Act.

The goals of treatment of HHS are to address the underlying cause(s) and to achieve: Gradual normalisation of the osmolality. Safe replacement of fluid and electrolyte losses. Safe and gradual normalisation of blood glucose.

One of the ways that OCR carries out this responsibility is to investigate complaints filed with it. OCR may also conduct compliance reviews to determine if covered entities are in compliance, and OCR performs education and outreach to foster compliance with requirements of the Privacy and Security Rules.

The four strategic goals are: Goal 1: Strengthen Health Care. Goal 2: Advance Scientific Knowledge and Innovation. Goal 3: Advance the Health, Safety, and Well-being of the American People. Goal 4: Ensure Efficiency, Transparency, Accountability, and Effectiveness of HHS Programs.

What is the strategic goal 4 of HHS? ›

Strategic Goal 4: Restore Trust and Accelerate Advancements in Science and Research for All. HHS is dedicated to restoring trust and accelerating advancements in science and research.

HHS is the Cabinet-level department of the Federal executive branch most involved with the Nation's human concerns.

The Privacy Rule protects all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The Privacy Rule calls this information "protected health information (PHI)."

§ 164.402 Definitions. As used in this subpart, the following terms have the following meanings: Breach means the acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of protected health information in a manner not permitted under subpart E of this part which compromises the security or privacy of the protected health information.

Public Access supports our Open Government goals by making the results of federally funded research, including peer-reviewed scientific publications and digital data, readily available to the public.

HHS is committed to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity by expanding access to care, improving health care quality, and supporting health care providers who serve populations who are at increased risk for poor health outcomes.

The HAI Action Plan provides a roadmap for preventing HAIs in acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, end-stage renal disease facilities, and long-term care facilities, and for coordinating the implementation of antibiotic stewardship efforts as a means of HAI prevention.

The Department of State (DOS) advises the President and leads the nation in foreign policy issues. The State Department negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign entities and represents the United States at the United Nations.