HHS
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | United States Department of Health and Human Services |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Medical |
HHS has two meanings. It stands for United States Department of Health and Human Services (US federal agency) or Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (endocrinology & diabetes).
Meanings of HHS at a glance
| # | HHS stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Department of Health and Human Services | Government & Politics › US Federal Agency |
| 2 | Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state | Medical › Endocrinology & Diabetes |
1. United States Department of Health and Human Services
Government & Politics · US Federal Agency Abbreviations
Oversees public health and the major federal health insurance programs through the CDC, FDA, NIH and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Its budget is the largest of any federal department, and it is led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Example: HHS issued updated guidance to hospitals on reporting respiratory virus admissions.
It descends from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), created in 1953. When education functions moved to a new Department of Education in 1979 and 1980, the remainder was renamed HHS. Most HHS spending flows through Medicare and Medicaid payments rather than the department's own operations.
2. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
Medical · Endocrinology & Diabetes Abbreviations
Hyperglycemic emergency, usually in older adults with type 2 diabetes, defined by very high glucose (typically above 600 mg/dL), high serum osmolality and severe dehydration without significant ketoacidosis. Confusion or coma is common, and mortality exceeds that of DKA.
Example: HHS: glucose 1,120, effective osmolality 348, minimal ketones, obtunded; aggressive isotonic fluids.
It develops over days to weeks, allowing massive fluid losses through the urine. Infection, missed medications and limited access to water are frequent triggers. Fluids are the cornerstone of therapy, and sodium and osmolality are corrected gradually to avoid cerebral edema. Mixed DKA-HHS presentations occur in about a third of cases.
Related abbreviations
More US federal agency abbreviations
- GAO – U.S. Government Accountability Office
- GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association
- GPO – U.S. Government Publishing Office
- GSA – U.S. General Services Administration
- HRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration
- HSI – Homeland Security Investigations
- HUD – United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
- ICC – Interstate Commerce Commission
See all 152 US federal agency abbreviations →
More endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations
- GH – Growth hormone
- GHD – Growth hormone deficiency
- GMI – Glucose management indicator
- HHNK – Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic state
- HPA – Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis)
- ICR – Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio
- IDDM – Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- IFG – Impaired fasting glucose
See all 64 endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.