The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
It is responsible for a wide range of programs and initiatives that touch the lives of millions of Americans every day, from helping families and individuals access affordable health care and support services,
conducting and supporting research to improve public health and advancing scientific knowledge, to protecting the public from health threats, to responding to disasters and emergencies.
The HHS is led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate.
The Secretary is the chief executive officer of the HHS and is responsible for overseeing all of its programs and initiatives. The HHS is divided into 11 agencies and offices, each with its own specific areas of responsibility.
The CDC is the nation's leading public health agency and is responsible for protecting the public from health threats, including infectious diseases, environmental hazards, and bioterrorism.