The Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) was a former federal agency in the United States responsible for the formulation and implementation of various policies related to health, education, and welfare. Established in 1953, HEW was primarily responsible for overseeing and regulating programs and initiatives related to public health, social services, education, and research.
Within the realm of health, the department focused on matters such as disease prevention, health promotion, healthcare access, and quality assurance. Its scope encompassed areas like biomedical research, food and drug safety, public health administration, and Medicare and Medicaid programs. In terms of education, HEW played a crucial role in ensuring equal access to quality education by administering federal funding and enforcing non-discriminatory policies in educational institutions.
The welfare component emphasized the provision of social services and support to vulnerable populations, including those facing economic hardships, disabilities, or discrimination. This involved administering programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child support enforcement, and disability benefits.
HEW played a pivotal role in shaping federal policies and regulations related to health, education, and welfare throughout its existence. However, the department underwent significant restructuring in 1979, resulting in the establishment of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the primary successor. HHS assumed most of the functions related to health and welfare, while education-related responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Education.
