Health and Human Services

The conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. These include economic stability, education, neighborhood environment, healthcare access, and social context.

A joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income in the United States.

A federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific conditions. It consists of Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage).

The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding a health-related event for use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health.

The attainment of the highest level of health for all people, requiring focused societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and healthcare disparities.

A healthcare delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and quality. Managed care organizations contract with healthcare providers and facilities to deliver care to enrolled members at reduced costs, typically through networks of preferred providers.

An approach to healthcare and human services that integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide decision-making and improve outcomes.

A group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to care for their children successfully. It includes child protective services, foster care, adoption services, and family preservation programs.

The systematic coordination of general and behavioral healthcare, including mental health and substance use disorder services, within primary care and other medical settings to improve whole-person health outcomes.

Landmark federal legislation enacted in 2010 that expanded health insurance coverage, established health insurance marketplaces, prohibited denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and introduced essential health benefit requirements for insurance plans.