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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map of the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) assists public health partners in responding to disease outbreaks. The EOC played an important role during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, which affected thousands of people in the United States in the first months after the disease emerged in China.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

United States government
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Also known as: HHS
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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Last Updated: • Article History
Quick Facts
Date:
1980 - present
Areas Of Involvement:
public health
social welfare program
Trump administration drops lawsuit against company accused of abusing children at migrant shelters • Mar. 12, 2025, 9:00 PM ET (AP)
CDC nominee Dave Weldon is likely to be pressed on his vaccine views at Senate hearing • Mar. 12, 2025, 12:11 PM ET (AP)
Top US health agency makes $25,000 buyout offer to most of its employees • Mar. 9, 2025, 2:07 PM ET (AP)
West Texas reports nearly 200 measles cases. New Mexico is up to 30 • Mar. 7, 2025, 5:11 PM ET (AP)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), executive division of the U.S. federal government responsible for carrying out government programs and policies relating to human health, welfare, and income security. Established in 1980 when responsibility for education was removed from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, it consists of several agencies including the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration on Aging, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the National Institutes of Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.