Public Health Service

Public Health Service, agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, established in July 1798 under the terms of congressional legislation authorizing marine hospitals for seamen in the merchant marine. Subsequent legislation vastly increased the scope of the agency's activities. Today it is the principal health agency of the federal government. The Public Health Service is charged with promoting the highest level of health attainable for every American and cooperating with foreign governments in health projects. It provides financial assistance for the development and delivery of local health services, for education in the health professions, and for research in medical sciences. Among its other functions are protecting the population against unsafe food and drugs and preventing or controlling communicable diseases.

The service, administered by an assistant secretary for health, includes the following major units: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration; Centers for Disease Control; Food and Drug Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration; Indian Health Service; and the National Institutes of Health.