How to Navigate Health.gov to Find a Specific Office or Program

Updated

Health.gov is the website of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). To reach a specific office or program, use the "I'm looking for" menu at the top for preset shortcuts, or scroll to the "Offices" section for the full list of OASH sub-offices. News and funding items appear in the "News" and "In Case You Missed It" sections. The site is organized around OASH's mission: "To improve the health and well-being of Americans by leading on policy, practices, and programs through the application of science, innovation, education and a commitment to all."

Start with the "I'm looking for" menu

The top of the homepage includes an "I'm looking for" entry point that opens a list of predetermined options. This is the fastest route when your target matches one of the preset choices — for example, current OASH job openings, available funding, information on the Assistant Secretary for Health, how to join the Commissioned Corps, or how to apply for jobs at OASH.

If your target is not in that list, skip to the "Offices" section below.

Use the "Offices" section for sub-office pages

Each OASH sub-office has its own page, reached from the "Offices" section. Use this table to pick the right one:

Office What it covers
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) Prevention, nutrition and physical activity programs such as Healthy People and the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) Protecting volunteers in research conducted or supported by HHS
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) Reducing the burden of infectious diseases; collaboration across federal agencies and stakeholders
Office of Minority Health (OMH) Health status and quality of life for minority populations in the United States
Office of Population Affairs (OPA) Family planning, population affairs and adolescent health
Office of Research Integrity (ORI) Integrity in PHS research programs and responses to allegations of research misconduct
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) Scientific information for Americans on health topics

Select the office name to open its page, then look for that office's own programs and resources.

Find programs through featured content

Some programs are surfaced directly on the homepage rather than buried under an office. Two examples in the featured area:

  • Dietary Guidelines for Americans — advice on what to eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, promote health, and prevent disease.
  • Move Your Way® — a physical activity campaign with community resources for moving more.

If you already know the program name, these featured blocks are often the quickest path.

Check News and "In Case You Missed It" for current items

The "News" section lists recent announcements, such as HHS recommendations on enhanced kratom products, the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit, and falls prevention funding. The "In Case You Missed It" section collects items you may have missed. Use these when you are looking for time-sensitive information — new funding, toolkits, or policy announcements — rather than a standing office page.

Common sticking points

  • The preset list does not include your target. The "I'm looking for" options are a fixed set. If nothing matches, go to "Offices" instead of assuming the content is absent.
  • You land on an office page but not the program. Office pages are entry points; the specific program may sit one level deeper within that office's own navigation.
  • You need a job or funding entry. These are handled through the "I'm looking for" shortcuts (current OASH job openings, available funding, how to apply for jobs at OASH) rather than through an office page.
  • You want Commissioned Corps information. Use the "How to join the Commissioned Corps" option in the "I'm looking for" list.

Quick verification

After navigating, confirm you are in the right place by checking that the page belongs to the expected office or program and that it addresses your specific need — for example, a funding page should show available funding, and an office page should name that office. If it does not, return to the "Offices" section and try the adjacent office.