Seasonal Affective Disorder, Getting Your Flu Vaccine, and More.

Read News Releases Published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [American flag] An official email from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [Header Logo]( Latest U.S. Department of Health & Human Services News Releases [Module 1 - Photo]( Seasonal Affective Disorder Going through short periods of sadness when the weather and seasons change is common. But if you notice significant changes in your mood and behavior, you may be experiencing a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Find out if your symptoms meet the criteria for SAD and learn how to minimize its effects. [Learn more »]( HHS News Releases Week of November 19th, 2023 [Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on President Biden’s Intent to Appoint Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell as Next Director of the National Cancer Institute]( November 17, 2023 On November 17, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued a statement in response to President Biden’s announcement that he intends to appoint Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell to be the next Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). [Read the full release »]( [Biden-Harris Administration Announces $74.4 Million in Funding Opportunities to Improve Behavioral Health]( November 16, 2023 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced notices of funding opportunities this week for grant programs that address behavioral health challenges in local communities by preventing substance use initiation, reducing the progression of substance use, and addressing other related concerns. [Read the full release »]( [The Biden-⁠Harris Administration Takes Action to Improve Health and Wellbeing by Addressing Social Determinants of Health]( November 16, 2023 The White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is releasing several resources to help support federal agencies, states, local and tribal governments to better coordinate health care, public health, and social services. [Read the full release »]( [HHS Celebrates National Rural Health Day]( November 16, 2023 On November 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) celebrates National Rural Health Day and recognizes the creativity and innovation of leaders across the country working to ensure access to high quality care for over 60 million Americans living in rural communities. [Read the full release »]( [HHS Establishes Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID]( November 16, 2023 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID and invites nominations for the Committee. This Committee is called for in the National Research Action Plan on Long COVID - PDF, published in April of 2022 to make recommendations on research and innovation in the whole-of-government response to the longer-term impacts of COVID-19. [Read the full statement »]( [Biden-Harris Administration Proposes New Rule to Strengthen the Head Start Workforce, Increase Wages & Support Quality Programming]( November 15, 2023 On Monday, November 13, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra spoke with Minister Mai al-Kaila, Minister of Health for the Palestinian Authority. Secretary Becerra offered his deepest condolences for the thousands of Palestinian lives lost in this conflict and reinforced the United States’ ongoing commitment to urgently respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Secretary Becerra also reiterated President Biden’s call for the protection of civilians. [Read the full release »]( [Readout of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Call with the Palestinian Authority’s Minister of Health Dr. Mai al-Kaila]( November 15, 2023 On Monday, November 13, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra spoke with Minister Mai al-Kaila, Minister of Health for the Palestinian Authority. Secretary Becerra offered his deepest condolences for the thousands of Palestinian lives lost in this conflict and reinforced the United States’ ongoing commitment to urgently respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Secretary Becerra also reiterated President Biden’s call for the protection of civilians. [Read the full release »]( [Breaking Language Barriers: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Plan to Address Language Barriers and Strengthen Language Access]( November 15, 2023 On November 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took the next step in working to ensure greater access to the life-saving services that it provides for people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and people with disabilities. [Read the full release »]( [Readout of ADM Rachel Levine’s visit to Georgia to learn about the impacts of congenital syphilis and syphilis]( November 15, 2023 On Monday, November 13, 2023, and Tuesday, November 14, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine traveled to Atlanta to hear from community partners and public health leaders how to best address the surge of syphilis and its impact on pregnant people and babies. [Read the full release »]( [Readout: HHS Hosts Roundtable Marking National Rural Health Day]( November 15, 2023 As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in Rural America Series, on Monday, November 13, 2023, Andrea Palm, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary; Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Mandy Cohen, M.D., Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and Meena Seshamani, M.D., Deputy Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Director for Center of Medicare, met with leading rural health care provider, consumer and advocacy organizations to mark National Rural Health Day. [Read the full release »]( [Biden-Harris Administration Continues Unprecedented Efforts to Increase Transparency of Nursing Home Ownership]( November 15, 2023 The Biden-Harris Administration is taking additional action to empower nursing home residents and their families to make informed decisions about care and to hold nursing homes accountable for the service they provide by requiring nursing homes to disclose additional ownership and management information to CMS and states and making this information public. [Read the full release »]( [With Missouri Approval, 40 States Now Offer Full Year of Medicaid Coverage After Pregnancy]( November 14, 2023 On November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced Missouri’s extension of comprehensive coverage after pregnancy through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for postpartum individuals for a full 12 months. [Read the full release »]( [HHS Factsheet: National Climate Assessment 5 Unveiled]( November 14, 2023 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), is pleased to announce the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). Led by USGCRP and its 14 member agencies, NCA5 draws on the expertise of nearly 500 authors and 250 contributors from every state, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [Read the full release »]( [HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data]( November 13, 2023 On November 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), released the results of the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The report shows how people living in United States reported about their experience with mental health, substance use, and treatment related behaviors in 2022. [Read the full release »]( [Biden-Harris Administration Reiterates Urgent Call for Congress to Help Strengthen Addiction Treatment, Crack Down on Drug Trafficking as HHS Releases New Data on Substance Use Disorder]( November 13, 2023 Amid new data released on substance use across the nation, the Biden-Harris Administration reiterated President Biden’s clear and urgent call for Congress to provide critical additional resources to strengthen addiction treatment and crack down on drug trafficking. [Read the full release »]( [HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles with Massachusetts Skilled Nursing Facility Regarding Disability Discrimination]( November 13, 2023 The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (OCR) and United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts announced an agreement with North End Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (“North End”), a skilled nursing facility in Boston, MA. [Read the full release »]( [See More News Releases]( [Module 2 - Photo]( Getting Your Flu Vaccine Recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60%. Flu vaccination can also reduce the severity of your illness if you get the flu, and it can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization. There are other benefits, too. [Learn more »]( [Footer Logo]( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. 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