Department of Health and Human Services

American  

noun

1. the department of the U.S. government that administers federal programs dealing with public health, welfare, and income security: created in 1979 from the reorganized Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. HHS

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Department of Health and Human Services Cultural  

1. A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the Social Security Administration, the Public Health Service, and other programs designed to promote public welfare. It was originally called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, until the separate Department of Education was created in 1979.

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Example Sentences

Last week, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services reported its first human case of West Nile virus.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

Prior to publication, the White House, the FDA, and the Department of Health and Human Services all wouldn’t answer directly whether this applicant with “refractory obesity with obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension” was Trump.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2026

Representatives for the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services didn’t respond to requests for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of adults who survive to age 65 develop severe “long-term services and supports” care needs before they die, and 48% receive some paid care over their lifetime.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

“He’s not very big on meatloaf either,” said Mrs. Stroud, and she closed the State of Maine * Department of Health and Human Services folder.

From "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt