The FY2024 Capacity Assessment Check In is part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) multi-year approach for addressing the primary capacity building needs identified through the initial FY2023-2026 HHS Capacity Assessment.
Office of Science and Data Policy (SDP)
The Office of Science and Data Policy is the departmental focal point for policy research, analysis, evaluation, and coordination of department-wide public health science policy and data policy activities and issues. The Office provides authoritative advice and analytical support to the ASPE and departmental leadership on public health science policy and data policy issues and initiatives, coordinates science and data policy issues of interagency scope within HHS, and manages interagency initiatives in science policy and data policy. The Office works closely with staff from across the Department on strategic plan development and implementation efforts. The Offices also carries out a program of policy research, analysis, evaluation, and data development in these issues.
The Office of Science and Data Policy includes several components:
- Division of Science and Public Health Policy
- Division of Evidence, Evaluation and Data Policy
- Division of Strategic Planning
Topic Areas:
- HHS Data Council
- Regulatory Impact Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Information Quality Guidelines
- Prevention and wellness
- Public health systems and functions
- Food safety and nutrition
- Drugs and devices
- Tobacco control and prevention
- Biomedical research and development
- Economic analysis
- Emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
- Data and statistical policy
- Health disparities and vulnerable populations
- Health information technology
- Microsimulation
- Privacy policy
Reports
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Advanced SearchASPE Issue Brief
HHS Actions to Enhance Diversity in Clinical Research
Clinical research forms the foundation for understanding and developing treatments for all types of medical conditions, but participants often do not reflect the diversity of the nation – in terms of sex, age, race, ethnicity, disability status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, or other characteristics.
Report
Impact of Drug Shortages on Patients in the United States: A Case Study of Three Drugs
Drug shortages are a persistent problem that can cause substantial disruption in patient treatment regimens and adversely impact a patient’s health. Drug shortages can have severe consequences for patients, including high costs, delayed care, and potential medication errors or unintended side effects when using alternative or unfamiliar drugs.
Report
The Availability, Quality, and Use of Administrative Data to Identify and Reduce Health and Human Services-Related Disparities: A Survey of HHS-Funded Programs and Interventions
Executive Orders No. 13985 (2021) and 14091 (2023) require federal agencies to ensure that their policies and services, including data collection, advance equitable outcomes for all populations. The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and the U.S.
Report
2025 HHS Evaluation Plan
The FY 2025 HHS Evaluation Plan details the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) efforts to answer the priority questions presented in the current HHS Evidence Building Plan. This plan provides an overview of HHS evaluation activities planned for FY 2025 and detailed information for each new and continuing evaluation effort.
Research Summary
Premarket Notifications and Patents for Breast Pumps Before and After the ACA
This study investigated whether ACA policies to increase access to breast pumps and lactation care were associated with innovation in the market for breast pumps.
Report
Comparing Prescription Drugs in the U.S. and Other Countries: Prices and Availability
ASPE contracted with RAND Health Care to carry out three studies analyzing data on U.S. prescription drug prices and availability in comparison to drug prices and availability in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. In 2022, U.S. prices across all drugs (brands and generics) were nearly 2.78 times as high as prices in the comparison countries. 
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HHS Standard Values for Regulatory Analysis
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) analyzes the benefits, costs, and other impacts of significant proposed and final rulemakings, consistent with the requirements of several executive orders and statutes. HHS develops these analyses according to technical guidance published by the U.S.
Report
Claims and Provider Payment Data Gaps for Responding to COVID-19
This report and accompanying discussion by ASPE and NORC highlights the claims data limitations identified during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Health (PHE) and provides considerations to address these limitations. The report identifies that limitations related to claims data were existing issues, exacerbated by, but not unique to, the COVID-19 PHE.