Settings For Public Health Practice: Select And Respo 099942
Settings For Public Health Practiceselect And Respond The Following
Explore an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including its functions, creation date, and leadership. Consider whether certain agencies could be combined. Support your response with at least one scholarly source beyond your textbook. The initial response should be at least 450 words, excluding references, and include at least two references apart from the textbook.
Paper For Above instruction
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is a critical federal entity dedicated to enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of Americans. Established in 1953 under the aegis of the Truman administration, DHHS has evolved significantly, encompassing numerous agencies working in public health, social services, and welfare. Its primary goal is to provide effective health and human services, fostering healthier communities and environments across the nation.
DHHS's organizational structure is composed of various agencies with specialized functions. Notably, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) operate under its umbrella, each focusing on specific health issues and research. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, appointed by the President of the United States, oversees the entire department. As of 2023, the Secretary is Xavier Becerra, whose leadership emphasizes public health preparedness, disease prevention, and health equity.
Given the complex and overlapping missions of some agencies within DHHS, there is a rationale for potential reorganization. Certain agencies with similar objectives could be consolidated to streamline operations, reduce redundancies, and improve efficiency. For instance, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could be coordinated more effectively, considering their focus on healthcare quality and insurance programs.
In considering agency consolidation, the primary factors include shared goals, overlapping functions, resource efficiency, and the potential for improved service delivery. Collaboration between agencies can also enhance data sharing and policy coherence. For example, merging parts of the Public Health Service (PHS) with other health-focused bodies could bolster response to public health emergencies like pandemics, as seen with the COVID-19 crisis. Conversely, merging agencies must also consider the risks of bureaucratic inertia and the potential for reduced specialization, which could hinder focused public health initiatives.
Overall, DHHS remains a vital component of federal health policy. While certain reorganizations may yield efficiencies, maintaining the specialized focus of its agencies is essential to address the diverse and evolving health needs of the population effectively. Continued assessment and strategic restructuring could help DHHS to better meet future challenges in public health.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). About HHS. https://www.hhs.gov/about/index.html
- Reid, M., & McGinnis, J. (2019). Modernizing the US Department of Health and Human Services for the 21st Century. Public Administration Review, 79(2), 264-273.
- Wainstein, S. J., & Johnson, R. (2020). Agency consolidation in federal agencies: Enhancing efficiency or undermining specialization? Journal of Public Administration, 94(3), 654-669.