The United States secretary of health and human services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services,and serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all health matters. The secretary is a member of the United States Cabinet. The office was formerly Secretary of Health,Education,and Welfare. In 1980,the Department of Health,Education,and Welfare was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services,and its education functions and Rehabilitation Services Administration were transferred to the new United States Department of Education. Patricia Roberts Harris headed the department before and after it was renamed.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the U.S. federal government created to protect the health of the U.S. people and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health,safety,and well-being of America". Before the separate federal Department of Education was created in 1979,it was called the Department of Health,Education,and Welfare (HEW).
The surgeon general of the United States is the operational head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government of the United States. The Surgeon General's office and staff are known as the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG),which is housed within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
Joseph Anthony Califano Jr. is an American attorney,professor,and public servant. He is known for the roles he played in shaping welfare policies in the cabinets of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter and for serving as United States Secretary of Health,Education,and Welfare in the Carter administration. He is also the founder and chairman of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASAColumbia),an evidence-based research organization,which is now the Partnership to End Addiction,where Califano holds the title of Chair Emeritus.
A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities,such as states,counties and cities,often also operate a health department of their own. Health departments perform food inspections and other health related inspections,vaccination programs,free STD and HIV tests,tobacco enforcement and cessation programs,and other medical assistance programs. Health departments also compile statistics about health issues within their area. The role of a health department may vary from one country to the other,but their primary objective is always the same;safeguarding and promoting health. In 1986,several of the world's national health departments met to establish an international guideline by which health departments operate. The meeting was in Ottawa,Ontario,Canada,and hence the guidelines established are known as the Ottawa Charter. The Ottawa Charter was designed to 'achieve Health for All'.
Alex Michael Azar II is an American attorney,businessman,lobbyist,and former pharmaceutical executive who served as the United States secretary of health and human services from 2018 to 2021. Azar was nominated to his post by President Donald Trump on November 13,2017,and confirmed by the United States Senate on January 24,2018. He was also chairman of the White House Coronavirus Task Force from its inception in January 2020 to February 2020,when he was replaced by Vice President Mike Pence.
The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs is a graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin that was founded in 1970 to offer training in public policy analysis and administration for students that are very interested in pursuing careers in government and public affairs-related areas of the private and nonprofit sectors. Degree programs include a Master of Public Affairs (MPAff),a mid-career MPAff sequence,16 MPAff dual degree programs,a Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS),eight MGPS dual degree programs,an Executive Master of Public Leadership,and a Ph.D. in public policy. The LBJ School is currently ranked 7th among public affairs programs in 2022 by U.S. News &World Report,up from 8th in 2021.
The assistant secretary for health (ASH) is a senior U.S. government official within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The position is a statutory office and the holder of the office serves as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services's primary advisor on matters involving the nation's public health. The assistant secretary oversees all matters pertaining to the United States Public Health Service (PHS),the main division of the Department of Health and Human Services,for the secretary,and provides strategic and policy direction. The Public Health Service comprises almost all of the agency divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services including the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,one of the eight federal uniformed services,comprising more than 6,500 uniformed health professionals who serve with the Department of Health and Human Services,or are assigned to work within other federal agencies,including the United States Armed Forces.
Eric David Hargan is an American lawyer and government official who served as United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services from October 2017 to January 2021. A member of the Republican Party,Hargan previously acted in this role in 2007 under the George W. Bush administration.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority(BARDA) is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office responsible for the procurement and development of medical countermeasures,principally against bioterrorism,including chemical,biological,radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats,as well as pandemic influenza and emerging diseases. BARDA was established in 2006 through the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) and reports to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The office manages Project BioShield,which funds the research,development and stockpiling of vaccines and treatments that the government could use during public health emergencies such as chemical,biological,radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attacks.
Jeanne Lambrew is a United States professor of public affairs and health policy. She served in the Obama administration as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Health Reform.
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) is part of the Office of Public Health and Science in the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is responsible for reproductive health topics,including adolescent pregnancy,family planning,and sterilization,as well as other population issues.
Charles Edwin Johnson served as Acting United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from January to April 2009 during the Obama presidency. Johnson was appointed by then President George W. Bush in 2005 as Assistant Secretary for Budget,Technology,and Finance. He was a public accountant for 31 years prior to joining the department.
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is an operating agency of the U.S. Public Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services that focuses preventing,preparing for,and responding to the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters. Its functions include preparedness planning and response;building federal emergency medical operational capabilities;countermeasures research,advance development,and procurement;and grants to strengthen the capabilities of hospitals and health care systems in public health emergencies and medical disasters. The office provides federal support,including medical professionals through ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System,to augment state and local capabilities during an emergency or disaster.
Caroline Clendening Laise was an American civil servant,ambassador to Nepal and the first female Assistant Secretary of State.
Daniel Ronald Levinson is an American attorney who served as Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from September 8,2004,to May 31,2019. HHS is among the largest departments in the federal government,encompassing Medicare,Medicaid,public health,medical research,food and drug safety,welfare,child and family services,disease prevention,Indian health,and mental health services. It also exercises leadership responsibilities in public health emergency preparedness and combating bio-terrorism.
Brett P. Giroir is an American pediatrician. He was formerly the U.S. assistant secretary for health,a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and an acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
Karen Bollinger DeSalvo is an American business executive,physician and public health expert. She has been Google’s chief health officer since 2019. Previously,she served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health,National Coordinator for Health Information Technology,and Director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).
Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center is the only hospital in American Samoa,and is located in Faga'alu,Maoputasi County. It has been ranked among the best hospitals in the Pacific Ocean. It is home to an emergency room and there are doctors on duty at all hours. It is a 150-bed facility. It includes TB,leprosy and obstetric units. The hospital was built in 1968 and is operating under a $50 million budget as of 2017. The executive director is Taufete'e John Faumuina.
Edwin Dorn is a political scientist who served as dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs from July 1997 to December 2004. He previously served as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness from March 1994 to July 1997. Also in 1994,Dorn was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
