ODPHP Director

A health equity mindset will help us make real strides in mitigating the negative effects of the national epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. That means deeply examining the special needs and challenges of groups with higher risk, such as certain racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ people, rural residents, groups who experience other forms of discrimination, and survivors of domestic violence.

Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. This month RDML Reed welcomes Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Recovery, and his insights on health and well-being in the context of recovery.

As childhood vaccination rates decline in the U.S., the urgency to help parents and caregivers understand the truth about the role vaccines play in supporting children’s health is all the more imperative. With the start of the new school year, doing so becomes even more relevant if we are to avoid outbreaks of preventable diseases.