What departments fall under HHS?

Editorial team Published on

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) includes 13 operating divisions, consisting of public health agencies and human services offices.

Operating Divisions

  • CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • FDA: Food and Drug Administration
  • NIH: National Institutes of Health
  • CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • ACF: Administration for Children and Families
  • ACL: Administration for Community Living
  • HRSA: Health Resources and Services Administration
  • IHS: Indian Health Service
  • SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  • ASPR: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
  • ARPA-H: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
  • ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions

The Office of the Secretary oversees these agencies and includes specialized staff and assistant secretary offices, such as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).

What are the 13 agencies under HHS?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees 13 operating divisions that manage public health, medical research, and social safety net programs.

The 13 Operating Divisions

The 13 operating divisions of HHS include ACF, ACL, ARPA-H, NIH, ASPR, ATSDR, AHRQ, CDC, FDA, CMS, HRSA, IHS, and SAMHSA, which collectively manage public health, biomedical research, healthcare coverage, and social support services. Additional details regarding these divisions can be found on the HHS website.

What agencies are part of HHS?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) includes 13 operating divisions—consisting of public health agencies and human services agencies—along with the Office of the Secretary.

Operating Divisions & Agencies

  • Administration for Children and Families (ACF): Promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities.
  • Administration for Community Living (ACL): Supports elderly individuals and people with disabilities.
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): Conducts research to improve health care quality, safety, and outcomes.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): Prevents exposure and adverse health effects from toxic substances.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Protects public health and safety through disease control and prevention.
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ensures the safety of foods, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics.
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Provides health care to people who are isolated, economically struggling, or medically vulnerable.
  • Indian Health Service (IHS): Provides comprehensive health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Conducts and supports nation-wide medical and biomedical research.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Leads public health efforts to advance behavioral health.
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H): Accelerates health research to drive breakthroughs in health and medicine.
  • Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR): Leads the nation in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the adverse health effects of public health emergencies.

What programs fall under HHS?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) manages over 100 programs across public health, healthcare, and human services through its primary operating divisions.

Major Operating Divisions & Programs

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Manages Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Focuses on disease control, prevention, public health safety, and immunizations.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Conducts and supports medical and biological scientific research.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates food safety, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, medical devices, and cosmetics.
  • Administration for Children and Families (ACF): Operates family and social welfare programs, including child care and support services.
  • Administration for Community Living (ACL): Supports programs for older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Provides access to health centers and services for under-served populations.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Leads behavioral health, mental health support, and addiction recovery efforts.
  • Indian Health Service (IHS): Delivers direct medical and public health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): Improves healthcare quality, safety, and effectiveness.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): Prevents exposure and adverse health effects from toxic substances.
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H): Funds high-risk, high-reward biomedical and health breakthroughs.
  • Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR): Manages disaster medical responses and public health security threats.

Are most HHS secretaries doctors?

No, most U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not been medical doctors.

Historical Background

  • Only a small number of individuals who have led HHS (and its predecessor, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare) have been licensed physicians with medical degrees.
  • Historical examples of physicians who served as secretary include Otis Bowen (appointed in 1985), Louis W. Sullivan (appointed in 1989), and Tom Price (appointed in 2017).
  • The vast majority of secretaries have instead been politicians (such as former governors or members of Congress), lawyers, public administrators, or policy experts.

Role and Requirements

  • No medical degree is legally required by the U.S. Constitution or federal law to serve as the HHS Secretary.
  • The position functions primarily as an executive management and political leadership role—overseeing massive agencies like the CDC, NIH, and FDA—rather than a clinical medical position. Technical and scientific decisions are typically led by appointed and career scientists within those specific sub-agencies.

Different Types of Evaluation and When to Use Them | April 18, 2023 | Webinar

9 related questions found

Is CDC a part of HHS?

Yes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an operating agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Key Details

  • Role: It acts as the national public health agency for the United States.
  • Structure: It is one of the key operating divisions within HHS, alongside other groups like the FDA and NIH.
  • Leadership: The agency is led by a director who reports to the HHS leadership.

What groups are under HHS?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) includes operating divisions and staff divisions that manage public health, medical research, and social services.

Operating Divisions

The operating divisions are the main agencies that carry out the core programs and health services of HHS:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Prevents and controls diseases, injuries, and disabilities.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Conducts medical and public health research through 27 institutes and centers.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Assures the safety and security of food, drugs, and medical devices.
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Manages healthcare coverage programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.
  • Administration for Children & Families (ACF) – Promotes the economic and social well-being of families and children.
  • Administration for Community Living (ACL) – Supports older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Improves healthcare access for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.
  • Indian Health Service (IHS) – Provides healthcare services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Leads efforts to advance behavioral health and reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – Conducts research to make healthcare safer and more accessible and effective.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – Prevents exposure and adverse health effects from hazardous toxic substances.
  • Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) – Leads federal public health and medical responses to disasters and emergencies.
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) – Funds high-impact biomedical and health research.

Staff Divisions (Office of the Secretary)

The Office of the Secretary oversees staff divisions that provide internal administration, policy, legal, and public affairs support:

  • Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
  • Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
  • Office of Inspector General (OIG)
  • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
  • Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) / ASTP

Is social security a part of HHS?

No, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Agency Status

  • Independent Agency: The Social Security Administration operates as an independent agency of the U.S. federal government.
  • Separation Date: It became independent on March 31, 1995, following the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994.

Historical Context

  • Past Affiliation: For more than 40 years, Social Security was housed under HHS and its predecessor, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).
  • Reason for Split: Congress separated the agency to increase its visibility, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen public accountability.
  • Community Consensus: Users on Reddit generally note that older Social Security cards might still display an older Department of Health and Human Services (or HEW) seal due to these past organizational shifts.

Does USDA fall under HHS?

No, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Key Differences

  • Separate Cabinet Departments: Both the USDA and HHS are independent, cabinet-level departments of the U.S. federal government.
  • Different Leadership: Each department reports directly to the President of the United States and is led by its own cabinet secretary (the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services).
  • Collaborative Work: While separate, they frequently collaborate on joint initiatives, such as establishing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and addressing food safety or nutrition policies.

What are the 15 federal agencies?

The United States federal government has 15 executive departments whose leaders make up the President’s Cabinet.

The 15 Executive Departments

  • Department of Agriculture (USDA): Manages farming, food stamps, and forestry.
  • Department of Commerce: Promotes economic growth and trade.
  • Department of Defense (DoD): Manages the U.S. armed forces.
  • Department of Education: Handles national school and student loan policies.
  • Department of Energy (DOE): Controls nuclear safety and energy supply.
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Oversees public health and medicine safety.
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Secures borders and prevents terrorism.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Supports housing and community development.
  • Department of the Interior (DOI): Manages public lands and national parks.
  • Department of Justice (DOJ): Enforces federal laws and runs the court system.
  • Department of Labor: Protects workers and sets wage rules.
  • Department of State: Handles foreign policy and diplomacy.
  • Department of Transportation: Maintains highways, air travel, and railways.
  • Department of the Treasury: Prints money and collects taxes.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Provides healthcare and benefits to military veterans.