United States Public Health Service

United States Public Health Service (USPHS),

an agency of the federal government responsible for the control of the arrival from abroad of any people, goods, or substances that may affect the health of U.S. citizens. The agency sets standards for the domestic handling and processing of food and the manufacture of serums, vaccines, cosmetics, and drugs. It supports and performs research, aids localities in times of disaster and epidemics, and provides medical care for certain groups of Americans.

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United States Public Health Service (USPHS),

n.pr a major division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The USPHS provides oversight of the following agencies: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; National Institutes of Health (NIH); Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration; Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA); Social Security Administration; Office of Child Support Enforcement; and Office of Community Services.