Strategic Objective 4.1: Improve the design, delivery, and outcomes of HHS programs by prioritizing science, evidence, and inclusion
Strategic Objective 4.2: Invest in the research enterprise and the scientific workforce to maintain leadership in the development of innovations that broaden our understanding of disease, healthcare, public health, and human services resulting in more effective interventions, treatments, and programs
Strategic Objective 4.3: Strengthen surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory capacity to understand and equitably address diseases and conditions
Strategic Objective 4.4: Improve data collection, use, and evaluation, to increase evidence-based knowledge that leads to better health outcomes, reduced health disparities, and improved social well-being, equity, and economic resilience
HHS is dedicated to restoring trust and accelerating advancements in science and research. The Department is prioritizing science, evidence, and inclusion to improve the design, delivery, and outcomes of HHS programs. It is investing in the research enterprise and the scientific workforce to maintain leadership in the development of innovations that broaden our understanding of disease, healthcare, public health, and human services resulting in more effective interventions, treatments, and programs. Strengthening surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory capacity is another major focus to better understand and equitably address diseases and conditions. HHS is also increasing evidence-based knowledge through improved data collection, use, and evaluation efforts to achieve better health outcomes, reduced health disparities, and improved social well-being, equity, and economic resilience.
In the context of HHS, this Strategic Plan adopts the definition of underserved communities listed in Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government to refer to “populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, who have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life”; this definition includes individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Individuals may belong to more than one underserved community and face intersecting barriers. This definition applies to the terms underserved communities and underserved populations throughout this Strategic Plan.
Related Executive Orders (EO) and White House Action Plans, Memoranda, and Guidance:
- EO 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government
- EO 13988: Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation
- EO 13994: Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health Threats
- EO 13995: Ensuring an Equitable COVID-19 Recovery and Response
- EO 13997: Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19
- EO 14020: Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council
- EO 14031: Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
- EO 14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce
- EO 14041: White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- HHS Policy for Protection of Human Subjects
- Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking
- Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships
- National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness
- Path Out of the Pandemic: President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan
- White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Recommended Policy Guidance for Departmental Development of Review Mechanisms for Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO), January 2017
Related Legislation:
- 21st Century Cures Act
- Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Reauthorization Act of 2018
- Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
- Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects
- Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (the “Evidence Act”)
- Public Health Service (PHS) Policies on Research Misconduct
Within HHS, all divisions are working to achieve Strategic Goal 4.
