The Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare was a senior official in the United States government responsible for overseeing programs related to public health, education, and welfare. This position was part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which was established in 1953 to coordinate federal efforts in these areas. In 1979, the department was split into two separate entities: the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. As a result, the role of Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare was eliminated, and the responsibilities were redistributed among the new departments.