The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a federal agency that works with local and state governments to provide public health services.
The department also helps people in need by providing food, housing, job training, and health insurance. The department is divided into different divisions that work on different issues. This article will answer the question “what are the 11 divisions of the Health and Human Services?”
What are the 11 divisions of the Health and Human Services?
The following are the 11 divisions of the Health and Human Services:
- 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 (ATSD
- Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA)
- Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR)
- Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
- Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL)
- Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
- Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
- Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
What is Health and Human Services?
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a federal agency that provides essential services to people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
HHS is a federal department in the United States government that is responsible for providing health care for all Americans, including seniors, children, the disabled, and people with HIV/AIDS. It was established on April 1, 1953, as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare HEW under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1979, the Department of Education split from the HEW thus becoming the Department of Health and Human Services HHS. This was done because the two departments had different goals and did not always work well together.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was created in response to the social and economic challenges of the Great Depression.
The goal of HHS is to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services. HHS plays a major role in the US health care system by providing health insurance for over 100 million Americans through the Affordable Care Act.
HHS is a very large organization that operates 11 operating divisions. These divisions operate in different variety of health and human services. Some of the services that HHS provides are the following:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Women
- Infants and Children
- Prescription Drug Benefit Program
- Food and Nutrition Service
- National Vaccine Program
- Indian Health Service
The 11 divisions of the health and human services, currently under the 25th Secretary, Xavier Becerra, are the following:
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides services to children and families.
The ACF was created as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974. ACF’s mission is to provide protection, promote well-being, and strengthen families.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the parent agency of ACF. They are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, regardless of their immigration status.
The ACF helps ensure that children are able to access and retain their health care, education, and other benefits. The ACF works to prevent the development of vulnerabilities in children that could lead to future abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is a federal government agency that provides services to people with disabilities and their families.
The ACL has a wide range of services and programs that are designed to help people with disabilities live more independently in their communities.
The mission of ACL is to promote and improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing services, advocating for their rights, and promoting public awareness.
This organization helps to provide the support people need to live their lives with dignity and independence. The ACL office is 330 C Street SW Washington, DC 20201.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of healthcare information to policymakers, the public, and the healthcare community.
They also provide technical assistance and support to the American Hospital Association and other organizations that work to improve quality and reduce costs in health care.
The Agency is also tasked with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care in the United States. The AHRQ provides information on health care and health care research, as well as conducting research on its own and the effectiveness of interventions to improve health care.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSD)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ATSD is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
It is responsible for the protection of human health and the environment from toxic substances. This agency has a particular focus on toxic substances in drinking water, air, and soil.
They provide information on toxic substances and diseases to the public as well as a database of toxic substances and diseases to health professionals and industry.
The agency is dedicated to protecting the public’s health by providing information on hazardous substances and diseases, making recommendations for their prevention, and promoting research.
Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA)
The Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) is a senior official in the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The ASA oversees the human resources, financial, and procurement functions of the Department.
The Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which is the largest agency in the US government.
The ASA serves as the chief operating officer of the Department and oversees the management of HHS’s information technology, and other administrative services.
The Assistant Secretary for Administration is the senior official in the Department of Health and Human Services who is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the department. The current ASA, Cheryl Campbell, reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR)
The Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR) is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources, currently Norris Cochran, is the chief financial officer for the department and is responsible for overseeing the federal government’s budget and related programs.
Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
The Assistant Secretary for Health, currently Admiral Rachel L. Levine, oversees a number of programs, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Assistant Secretary also works with state and local governments to implement health policy. The Assistant Secretary for Health is a high-ranking position in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL)
Melanie Egorin
The Assistant Secretary for Legislation, currently Melanie Egorin, is responsible for ensuring that legislation affecting the Department is coordinated with the Department’s policies and programs.
The Assistant Secretary also serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on legislative matters and coordinates Congressional relations with the Office of Legislative Affairs.
The ASL is also responsible for ensuring that laws are faithfully executed by HHS which includes making sure that HHS is meeting its own obligations under the law and not violating the law.
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), currently Benjamin Sommers, is a senior official in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
ASPE helps the Secretary of Health and Human Services carry out the responsibilities of the department by providing policy advice, formulating and evaluating HHS programs, and conducting research.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), currently Dawn O’Connell, manages the National Disaster Medical System, which is the Federal government’s system for coordinating medical care during natural and man-made disasters.
It also provides a medical response to public health emergencies such as pandemic influenza, smallpox, and bioterrorism.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, currently Sarah Lovenheim, is the head of the office of public affairs at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The ASPA is responsible for overseeing the department’s media relations, press releases, and social media interactions.
Conclusion
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the government agency that oversees the health and well-being of all Americans. It was created by the United States Congress in 1935 and is overseen by a Secretary of Health and Human Services who is appointed by the President of the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the 11 divisions of the Health and Human Services?
How many public health departments are there in the US?
There are 3,000 current health departments in the US.
Is the FDA part of HHS?
Yes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is part of the HHS
Who is the Deputy Secretary of the HHS?
Andrea Palm is the Deputy Secretary of the HHS.
Reference
Burwell, S. M. (2015). Setting value-based payment goals—HHS efforts to improve US health care. N Engl J Med, 372(10), 897-899.
Carignan, C. C., Punshon, T., Karagas, M. R., Cottingham, K. L., & Hanover, N. (2017). HHS public access. Ann Glob Health Author manuscript.
What is US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
