US Health Agencies

There are several government agencies in the United States that are responsible for the health of citizens. Some of the main ones include:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Founded in 1946, the CDC is a national public health institute that conducts and supports research, tracks and investigates outbreaks, develops and distributes health guidelines and recommendations, provides funding and technical assistance to state and local health departments and other organizations, and operates laboratories and other facilities to support public health efforts.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Founded in 1906, the FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices.

National Institutes of Health (NIH): Founded in 1887, the NIH is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research in the United States. The NIH is made up of 27 institutes and centers, each with a specific research agenda, and it funds research in a wide range of scientific areas, including cancer, heart disease, and mental health.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Created in 1965, the CMS administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health coverage to millions of Americans, including those with low incomes and those with certain disabilities.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Founded in 1980, the HHS is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The agency includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities.

All these agencies were created for different purposes and different times, but all of them work together to improve and protect the health of US citizens.