Tag Archives: HHS

Who’s Watching What You Eat?

Posted on March 28, 2017 by WatchBlog

Although the U.S. food supply is generally considered safe, foodborne illness remains a costly, common public health problem. The safety and quality of the food supply is governed by a highly-complex system—involving 16 federal agencies administering over 30 federal laws. … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on March 28, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged Department of Agriculture, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, food oversight, food safety, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Food Safety Modernization Act . fragmentation, Food Safety Working Group, food supply, FSIS, HHS, high risk, NRE, Steve Morris, usda

If Disaster Strikes, How Is DOD Prepared to Help?

Posted on February 28, 2017 by WatchBlog

When disasters strike, the Department of Defense, including the National Guard, must be prepared to respond quickly to support civil authorities—such as state and local agencies, and the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services. DOD can provide … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 28, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged DCM, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, disaster preparedness, disaster response, DOD, HHS, homeland security, Joe Kirschbaum, National Guard, pandemic response

Do the Oscars Make You Think of Federal Policy? Yeah, Us Too.

Posted on February 23, 2017 by WatchBlog

We think about our reports all the time—even when we watch movies. As a tribute to our single-mindedness, today’s WatchBlog is all about how our work relates to this year’s Oscar-nominated films. So, get some popcorn, put your feet up, … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 23, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged ASM, DOD, DOE, Europa, EWIS, HHS, HSJ, James Webb Space Telescope, JWST, NASA, NIH, NRE, NSF, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Oscars, quick look, SI, STEM, usda

Fragmented Data on Sexual Violence

Posted on February 21, 2017 by WatchBlog

Sexual violence has been in the headlines during the past year, including crimes involving college students, incarcerated people, and the military. Data collected by the federal government on sexual violence can help prioritize resources and design programs to prevent and … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 21, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged data collection, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Justice, DOD, DOJ, fragmentation, Gretta Goodwin, health and human services, HHS, HSJ, sexual violence

Zika Virus Prevention and Response (infographic)

Posted on December 15, 2016 by WatchBlog

The Zika virus can cause symptoms including fever, rash, and joint pain. It has recently been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies and is possibly linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The disease first started in the tropics, then individual … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on December 15, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged cases, CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, communication, Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, development, DHS, DOD, Environmental Protection Agency, epa, eradication, Guillain-Barre, HC, HHS, homeland security, insecticide, map, medical countermeasures, microcephaly, mosquito, National Institutes of Health, NIH, preparedness, prevention, research, response, sexual contact, symptoms, territories, transmission, travel, vaccine, West Nile, Zika, Zika virus

Thinking about Joining Medicare Advantage?

Posted on October 13, 2016 by WatchBlog

If you have Medicare, this time of year always brings an opportunity to switch health plans during the annual open enrollment period, which starts this weekend and runs through December 7. About 30% of Medicare participants choose Medicare Advantage plans—the … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on October 13, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, choosing a Medicare plan, CMS, coverage, HC, HHS, insurance, MA, medicare, Medicare Advantage, medigap, open enrollment, open season, out-of-pocket, Part D, prescription drugs, supplemental insurance

Addressing Sexual Abuse in Youth Sports Programs

Posted on April 14, 2016 by WatchBlog

Enrolling your child in a local soccer or other sports club is often a rite of passage, not to mention a great way for kids to meet friends and get some exercise. While many youth athletes have positive interactions with … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on April 14, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged abuse, assault, children, club sports, DOE, DOJ, EWIS, HHS, kids, protecting children, protecting kids, SAAM, sports camp, summer sports

Caring for Unaccompanied Children at the Border

Posted on December 1, 2015 by WatchBlog

Each year, tens of thousands of unaccompanied children under 18 are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security. These children have often traveled thousands of miles under dangerous conditions to reach the United States. But they arrive at the border … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on December 1, 2015 by WatchBlog | Tagged border kids, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, fear of persecution, HHS, HSJ, refugee children, refugee kids, trafficking

The Buy Indian Act: A Work in Progress

Posted on November 10, 2015 by WatchBlog

American Indians and Alaska Natives have a unique legal and political relationship with the federal government that gives the government responsibility for protecting and improving tribal interests. For Native American Heritage Month, we’re taking a look at one law meant … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on November 10, 2015 by WatchBlog | Tagged Alaska Natives, American Indians, ASM, BIA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, HHS, IHS, Indian Health Service, interior, Native American Heritage Month

Federal Efforts to Help People with Mental Illness

Posted on October 8, 2015 by WatchBlog

Some 10 million Americans suffer from serious mental illness. We focused on services for them in a previous WatchBlog post, but they are part of a bigger picture: about 43 million adults—roughly 1 in 5—live with some form of mental health … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on October 8, 2015 by WatchBlog | Tagged #MIAW15, 1 in 5, Center for Mental Health Services, CMHS, Department of Health and Human Services, HC, HHS, mental health, Mental Illness Awareness Week, MIAW, oversight, SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration