Strategic Goal 4: Restore Trust and Accelerate Advancements in Science and Research for All

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:

Related Legislation:

Within HHS, all divisions are working to achieve Strategic Goal 4.

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Content created by Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
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