Last updated April 2026.
Understanding the Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), formally established in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a cabinet-level department of the United States federal government. Often referred to simply as “the health department” or “HHS,” this executive agency is responsible for protecting the health and well-being of all American citizens and administering a vast range of human services and public health programs. The HHS is one of the largest federal agencies by budget and scope, with responsibility for numerous programs that directly affect the lives of millions of Americans daily.
Mission and Goals of HHS
According to the official HHS mission statement, the department’s goal is “to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services.” The HHS works to achieve this mission through various agencies and programs that address healthcare, disease prevention, child and family services, aging services, substance abuse treatment, and numerous other health and human services functions.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, serving as the department head, is a cabinet-level position appointed by the U.S. President with approval from the Senate. The Secretary oversees all HHS agencies and operations and reports directly to the President.
HHS Budget and Scope
The Department of Health and Human Services operates with a larger budget than all other federal agencies combined, reflecting the scope and importance of its programs. HHS administers a substantial portion of the federal government’s spending on healthcare, social services, and scientific research. The department runs programs that touch nearly every American’s life at some point, from Medicare and Medicaid to child welfare services, disease research, and public health initiatives.
Component Agencies and Offices
The HHS is not a monolithic agency but rather encompasses several separate agencies and offices, each responsible for specific health and human services functions. The major component agencies include:
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Provides services to vulnerable children, youth, families, and communities, including foster care, adoption services, and child abuse prevention
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) – Supports aging individuals and persons with disabilities in living independently in their communities
- Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) – Conducts research on healthcare quality, safety, and effectiveness
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – Protects public health from hazardous substance exposure
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Leads efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks and health emergencies
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Regulates food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Improves access to healthcare for low-income and uninsured populations
- Indian Health Service (IHS) – Provides healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native populations
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Conducts and funds medical and behavioral research
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Addresses substance abuse and mental health issues
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Associated with the HHS is the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS), a federal uniformed service that provides specialized public health expertise. The Surgeon General of the United States heads the USPHS. Members of the Commissioned Corps serve in various capacities throughout the federal government and public health agencies, providing medical and public health expertise to advance national health goals.
Key Functions of HHS Agencies
The various agencies within HHS perform distinct but complementary functions:
- Administering healthcare insurance programs (CMS)
- Conducting disease surveillance and outbreak response (CDC)
- Funding medical research (NIH)
- Regulating medications and food safety (FDA)
- Providing direct healthcare services to specific populations (IHS)
- Supporting child and family services (ACF)
- Addressing mental health and substance abuse (SAMHSA)
- Researching healthcare quality and safety (AHRQ)
- Supporting community-based services for elderly and disabled persons (ACL)
HHS and Vital Records
While the HHS does not directly maintain vital records, its agencies work closely with state and local vital records offices. The HHS provides guidance and standards for vital records registration and coordinates data collection on births, deaths, and marriages across all states. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), a CDC agency within HHS, collects and analyzes vital statistics data from all states and territories.
State Health Departments and Local Health Offices
While the federal HHS establishes policies and provides funding and guidance, actual vital records are maintained by state health departments and local vital records offices. Each state has its own Department of Health or comparable agency that maintains vital statistics and issues birth, death, and marriage certificates. These state agencies work within the frameworks established by federal standards but maintain their own databases and procedures. The federal HHS provides oversight and coordination to ensure consistency and quality across all state systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get a birth certificate if HHS doesn’t maintain it?
Birth certificates are maintained by state vital records offices, not by the federal HHS. Contact your state’s Department of Health or vital records office to request a birth certificate. You can typically find your state’s vital records office through a web search.
What is the role of the Surgeon General?
The Surgeon General is the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and serves as the nation’s leading spokesperson on matters of public health. The Surgeon General provides health information and guidance to the American public on major health issues.
Does HHS provide healthcare directly to individuals?
HHS administers healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid but primarily operates through state and local agencies that deliver services. The Indian Health Service is an exception, providing direct healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
How is HHS structured?
HHS consists of the Office of the Secretary and eleven component agencies, each responsible for specific health and human services functions. The Secretary oversees all of these agencies and coordinates HHS efforts across the federal government.
Can I contact HHS to report health or safety concerns?
Yes, you can contact specific HHS agencies depending on your concern. For disease outbreaks, contact the CDC. For food or drug safety, contact the FDA. For Medicare/Medicaid issues, contact CMS. The HHS website (hhs.gov) provides contact information for all component agencies.