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EO 13544Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13544

Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council

This executive order establishes the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS, chaired by the Surgeon General, to coordinate federal prevention and wellness efforts. It mandates development of a national health strategy and requires annual reports to Congress through 2015 on progress toward disease prevention goals.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 33983

Impact dates

  1. Final annual report due (reporting obligation ends)

  2. National prevention, health promotion, and public health strategy published

  3. First annual report to President and Congress

Key directives

  • Establish National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS
  • Surgeon General serves as Chair with 13 specified agency heads plus optional additional members
  • Create Advisory Group of up to 25 non-federal members including diverse health professionals
  • Develop national prevention and health promotion strategy by March 23, 2011
  • Submit first report by July 1, 2010, then annually through January 1, 2015
  • Reports must include plans for consolidating or eliminating ineffective federal health programs
  • Ensure all federal health programs coordinate with CDC science-based prevention recommendations
  • Ensure non-HHS prevention programs follow CDC science-based guidelines

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Council establishment within HHS
  • Surgeon General designated as Chair

Near term (90d)

  • First report to President and Congress due July 1, 2010
  • Advisory Group formation

Long term

  • National strategy development by March 23, 2011
  • Annual reports through January 1, 2015
  • Periodic strategy review and revision

Risks & tensions

  • No dedicated appropriations; funding limited to 'existing appropriations' and 'extent permitted by law'
  • Advisory Group members serve without compensation, potentially limiting participation
  • Mandate to consolidate or eliminate 'ineffective' programs may create interagency friction
  • Requirement for non-HHS agencies to follow CDC guidelines raises jurisdictional tension
  • Healthy People 2020 program referenced but not defined in text; assumes external familiarity
Executive Order 13544: Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council · Executive Orders