The Surgeon General of the United States leads the Public Health Service, which promotes public health through direct intervention and policy. The Surgeon General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and works with the Assistant Secretary of Health and the President to advocate for sound health care policies. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service, provides a variety of services including disaster response and health research. The Surgeon General must be able to respond to emerging health threats and work with representatives from other health services and organizations.
The Surgeon General of the United States is the head of the United States Public Health Service, a branch of government responsible for promoting public health both through direct intervention and through the use of policy. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service of the United States, provides the Surgeon General with a veritable army of public health workers. Because the Public Health Service is uniformed, the Surgeon General has military rank, as do members of the Corps, although they are classified as non-combatants.
The origins of the position of Surgeon General go back to the early days of the United States, when a public health commissioner was appointed to oversee the health of the U.S. military. In 1871, a formal position of Surgeon General was created, and the Surgeon General’s job was extended to include the civilian population. The Surgeon General works within the Department of Health and Human Services, reporting to the Assistant Secretary of Health.
Surgeon Generals are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed in a Senate hearing. One of the most important roles is that of a political advocate. The Surgeon General works with the Assistant Secretary of Health and the President to promote sound health care policies for the United States. Working with the Office of the Surgeon General, this appointed officer also reviews emerging trends in health care, reviews study results, and occasionally issues rulings and warnings such as the prominent Surgeon General’s Warning found on tobacco products.
The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, operating under the supervision of the Surgeon General, provides a variety of services ranging from disaster response to product safety inspections. Corps members also engage in health research, health education, disaster preparedness, and policy making. As members of a uniformed service, they may also be “loaned” to other uniformed services as needed and are potentially liable under the rules of military justice, even if they are not combatants.
While the Surgeon General might be seen as a figurehead due to his role as a spokesperson, leading the public health service is no small task in a nation the size of the United States. The Surgeon General must be able to respond to emerging health threats in numerous locations, and being able to work comfortably with representatives from other health services and organizations is critical, as do all of the Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, and others. organizations a role in the administration of health care to Americans.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
