Government Agency Profile

Department of Health and Human Services

Learn what Department of Health and Human Services does, where it fits in government, and which official services visitors may need.

Public health, Medicare, Medicaid policy, health research, disease control, and human services programs.

Visitors usually encounter this department through official benefit programs, forms, grants, reports, data tools, public notices, enforcement information, or offices and bureaus that carry out laws Congress has passed.

Public health programs turn law, science, and services into practical help.
TypeCabinet Level Department
Established1953
Top OfficialSecretary of Health and Human Services
Official Sitehhs.gov

What Health and Human Services Does

Public health, Medicare, Medicaid policy, health research, disease control, and human services programs.

Public SafetyFind health coverage, public health, food and drug safety, medical research, child and family service, and human services resources.
Official InformationUse HHS agencies for Medicare, Medicaid, CDC guidance, FDA information, NIH research, and public health programs.

How It Fits In Government

Government RoleDepartment of Health and Human Services operates as a federal agency, commission, or public institution with responsibilities assigned by law, executive organization, or federal practice.
Public AccountabilityIts work may appear through official notices, regulations, reports, data systems, service portals, hearings, inspections, grants, enforcement actions, or public contact channels.
Where To VerifyUse the official agency website first for current forms, deadlines, leadership, program rules, contact information, and legal notices.

Major Bureaus and Operating Components

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention is an operating component of Department of Health and Human Services that administers specialized federal programs, services, data, enforcement, or public information in its subject area.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services is an operating component of Department of Health and Human Services that administers specialized federal programs, services, data, enforcement, or public information in its subject area.Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration is an operating component of Department of Health and Human Services that administers specialized federal programs, services, data, enforcement, or public information in its subject area.Health Resources and Services AdministrationHealth Resources and Services Administration is an operating component of Department of Health and Human Services that administers specialized federal programs, services, data, enforcement, or public information in its subject area.National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health is an operating component of Department of Health and Human Services that administers specialized federal programs, services, data, enforcement, or public information in its subject area.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Public Service Guide

How visitors may use Health and Human Services

This profile is designed to help visitors find practical government services, not just describe the agency in the abstract. Start with the official sources below, then use related public service links when a specific form, record, benefit, complaint, data tool, or office is needed.

Public Services Visitors May Need

Agency WebsiteOpen official source

Learn More

Official records and updatesLook for current announcements, notices, rulemaking, public data, forms, and contact information directly from official sources.
Related servicesMany agency services connect to benefits, taxes, passports, safety, records, grants, complaints, inspections, research, or public information requests.
When to use this profileUse this page to understand what the agency does, then follow official links for applications, deadlines, eligibility rules, data, and legal text.