Public Health Policy

This report highlights key programs, activities, and policies of HHS’ strategic approach to addressing social determinants of health, including early accomplishments to date and stories of the on-the-ground impact that these initiatives are making in people’s lives. These and other actions being taken by HHS, and across the federal government, as well as cross-sector initiatives at the com

Nursing homes experienced unprecedented financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about a potential increase in nursing home closures.

Medical product shortages are an ongoing public health concern, with at least 140 products in shortage as of July 2024.We use the Household Pulse Survey to examine how many adults are affected by shortages of critical medical products in the United States.In fall 2023, shortages of medical products impacted about 38.8 million (18 percent) of individuals in the United Stat

This brief is the third publication from the Continuity of Care Services Following Coordinated Specialty Care study. It provides a short overview of the different approaches to continuity of care for young adults who have attended CSC programs and explores avenues for integration within programs and organizations as a way to support young adults following a completion of a CSC program.

The Coordinated Specialty Care Transition Study: Final Report provides an overview of transition services for clients graduating from Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC). This the second publication from the Continuity of Care Services Following Coordinated Specialty Care study.

COVID-19 pandemic’s social restrictions have prompted a surge in the mental health needs of children of all ages. Nationwide 4.3 million children/adolescents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of August 2021, and many of them have returned to early childhood and school settings. Schools and early childhood programs have long been essential settings for delivery of mental health services.

Experience during the first six months of the pandemic shows that the risks of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries contracting COVID-19 and subsequent hospitalization and mortality vary significantly by demographic characteristics, health status, and nursing home residence. There are several factors that indicate significantly elevated risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted stark health disparities among Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations in several areas, including infections, hospitalizations, death rates, and vaccination rates.

This report analyzes the impact of current federal policies and programs on the growth of community living arrangements and supportive services for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities (MR/DD).