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EnglishWhat Is Health.gov and What Does the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Do?
Updated
Health.gov is the official website of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It serves as a hub for federal public health policy, programs, and resources — covering topics like dietary guidelines, physical activity, disease prevention, minority health, and research integrity. If you're looking for authoritative U.S. government health guidance, funding opportunities, or information about OASH's offices and initiatives, this is the site to use.
Who Runs Health.gov
Health.gov is operated by OASH, whose stated mission is "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." The site describes its overarching goal as "healthy people, healthy community, and a healthy nation for all."
OASH sits within HHS, the federal department responsible for national health and human services programs.
What You'll Find on the Site
The site organizes its content around several recurring categories:
- Featured guidance and campaigns — such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (advice on what to eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, promote health, and prevent disease) and the Move Your Way® campaign (community resources for physical activity).
- News — recent HHS announcements, for example items on enhanced kratom product thresholds, a Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit, and falls prevention funding.
- Funding information — available funding opportunities are listed as a navigational option.
- Jobs and careers — current OASH job openings and how to apply, plus information on joining the Commissioned Corps.
- Advisory committees — information about committees that advise OASH.
- Leadership information — details on the Assistant Secretary for Health.
The Offices Under OASH
A major part of Health.gov is directing visitors to the specialized offices that carry out OASH's work. Each has its own focus area:
| Office | Focus |
|---|---|
| Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) | Prevention, nutrition, and physical activity programs, including 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 and encouraging collaboration among 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) | Promoting integrity in Public Health Service research programs and responding to allegations of research misconduct |
| Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) | Providing Americans with the best available scientific information on health |
When to Use Health.gov
Health.gov is most useful when you need:
- Official federal health guidance — such as dietary or physical activity recommendations you can cite or apply.
- Information about OASH's structure and mission — useful for researchers, public health professionals, or anyone trying to understand how federal health policy is organized.
- Funding or job opportunities within OASH and its offices.
- A starting point to reach a specific office (ODPHP, OMH, OPA, etc.) for more detailed resources.
Because the site aggregates content from multiple offices, it works best as a directory and overview rather than a single-topic resource. For deep dives into a specific area — minority health, research integrity, or family planning, for instance — follow the links to the relevant office.