Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Health and Human Services - established in 1953, one of the Cabinet departments. This department is headed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It performs administrative, research, educational, and regulatory functions for welfare, public assistance, and public health programs. The Department of Health and Human Services includes the following agencies: the Public Health Service; the Administration on Aging, the Administration for Children and Families, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the Office of Consumer Affairs.