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Office of Science and Data Policy (SDP)

The Office of Science and Data Policy is the departmental focal point for policy research, analysis, evaluation, and coordination of department-wide public health science policy and data policy activities and issues. The Office provides authoritative advice and analytical support to the ASPE and departmental leadership on public health science policy and data policy issues and initiatives, coordinates science and data policy issues of interagency scope within HHS, and manages interagency initiatives in science policy and data policy. The Office works closely with staff from across the Department on strategic plan development and implementation efforts. The Offices also carries out a program of policy research, analysis, evaluation, and data development in these issues.

The Office of Science and Data Policy includes several components:

Topic Areas:

  • HHS Data Council
  • Regulatory Impact Analysis
  • Strategic Planning
  • Information Quality Guidelines
  • Prevention and wellness
  • Public health systems and functions
  • Food safety and nutrition
  • Drugs and devices
  • Tobacco control and prevention
  • Biomedical research and development
  • Economic analysis
  • Emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
  • Data and statistical policy
  • Health disparities and vulnerable populations
  • Health information technology
  • Microsimulation
  • Privacy policy

Reports

Displaying 61 - 70 of 161. 10 per page. Page 7.

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Report

Valuing COVID-19 Mortality and Morbidity Risk Reductions in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regulatory Impact Analyses

This report develops an approach for valuing COVID-19 mortality and morbidity risk reductions based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Guidelines for Regulatory Impact Analysis. Valuing risk reductions associated with regulations or other policies that address the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents major challenges.
ASPE Issue Brief

Unvaccinated for COVID-19 but Willing: Demographic Factors, Geographic Patterns, and Changes Over Time

As of August 4, 2021, 70.1 percent of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, vaccine coverage varies dramatically across the country, with vaccine coverage being less than 40 percent in a third of U.S. counties. Despite a sufficient supply of COVID-19 vaccines, daily vaccinations have dwindled in recent months.
Report

Appendix D: Updating Value per Statistical Life (VSL) Estimates for Inflation and Changes in Real Income

The HHS Guidelines for Regulatory Impact Analysis (2016) discuss an approach to valuing mortality risk reductions, commonly referred to as the value per statistical life (VSL). This appendix provides background information on the VSL estimates, describes the process for updating these values, reports the estimates in 2020 dollars, and illustrates their application.
Report

Vaccine Hesitancy for COVID-19: State, County, and Local Estimates

To support state and local communication and outreach efforts, ASPE developed state, county, and sub-state level predictions of hesitancy rates using the most recently available federal survey data, the Household Pulse Survey from May 26-June 7, 2021. This page includes an interactive map, a pdf file with a methodological description, and datasets for download.

Physician Understanding and Willingness to Prescribe Biosimilars: Findings from a US National Survey

This study presents the findings of a national survey of physicians about their knowledge of biosimilar biological products as well as the impact of biological product naming conventions on prescriber choice. Related Products

Department of Health & Human Services FY 2022 Evaluation Plan

As part of the Evidence Act, HHS is required to submit “an evaluation plan describing activities the agency plans to conduct pursuant to [its evidence-building plan].” Nine operating divisions within HHS and one staff division developed evaluation plans and included information on priority questions being examined by the agencies as well as data, methods, and challenges to addressing those ques

Department of Health & Human Services Evaluation Policy

This is an evaluation policy for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), required by the Foundations for Evidence-based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act). ASPE convened a group of agency representatives from across HHS operating and staff divisions to develop the policy.

To Big Data or Not: Determining the Use of Big Data

The purpose of this research project was to provide the Office of Science and Data Policy at ASPE with some informed observations concerning the use of new data sources and data management strategies in policy research, evaluation, and decision-making at the federal level. A secondary goal was to identify successful training models in data science for the federal workforce.

2018 HHS Data Strategy: Enhancing the HHS Evidence-Based Portfolio

The 2018 HHS Data Strategy focuses on improving the Department’s capacity to develop statistical evidence to support policymaking and program evaluation over the next six to eight years.

Using Evidence to Drive Decision-Making in Government

This report presents the findings from the Policy Analysis and Decision-Making Capacity project, funded by the Office of Science and Data Policy within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.