Health programs support people and communities by providing basic needs such as food, housing, and employment and essential services like health care, public safety, education, and social services. They also provide resources to help you eat smart, exercise regularly, and get routine health screenings and vaccinations.
Mental health and behavioral health issues impact individuals, families, and communities. They may cause distress, prevent people from working or living independently, and interfere with relationships. These issues can be treated with a wide range of services, including behavioral health hospitals, treatment centers, and community-based services.
For many, it can be difficult to identify where to start when looking for help. They might feel embarrassed about their situation or think they will not be able to get the assistance they need. This is especially true for low-income individuals and families.
HHS’s Division of Behavioral Health and Drug Prevention helps people with substance use problems find services that are right for them and their family members. They offer a range of programs to teach helpful mental health skills, connect people to community resources and give them tools they can use at home.
The National Institutes of Health conducts research to improve the lives of patients by developing and sharing evidence-based programs that reduce the risk of death and disability from chronic diseases. These include studies on improving access to health care, promoting healthy lifestyles, and developing interventions for preventing and controlling chronic disease.
In addition, CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity develops and shares proven approaches that make it easier for people to be active and eat healthy. This includes increasing healthy food options where people live, learn, work, and play; improving the design of our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods to promote safe and convenient ways to move; and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to participate in activities that promote fitness and wellness.
mHealth is the use of mobile technology to deliver health care and other health-related information and services. It includes the development of apps, telehealth, wearable technology, and other mobile technologies that allow users to track their health, receive information, communicate with health professionals, and engage in disease management.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal-state partnership that provides affordable, high-quality health coverage to children and teens in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. CHIP coverage is different in each state, but all states offer a variety of benefits, including coverage for routine check-ups, immunizations, and prescription drugs.
The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program funds state agencies to improve the health of mothers, babies, and children of poor and low-income mothers and infants in their states. The grant provides a number of performance goals and is often given in a block grant, meaning that each state can focus its resources on areas most relevant to their own needs.
A number of CDC’s health programs also focus on women and their children. These programs include the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, which collect data to promote improvements in pregnancy and infant health. They also have programs to prevent and control chronic conditions before and during pregnancy, and help women manage their medical care before, during, and after pregnancy.