H

HFA
High Functioning Autism. While 70-80% of those diagnosed with autism also test as mentally retarded, many high functioning autistics have average or above average IQ's. High Functioning Autism (HFA) is not a clearly defined diagnosis. Rather, it is a label given when someone meets (or met as a child) the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder but is able to speak and has an average or above average IQ. The term HFA is similar in many ways to Asperger Syndrome. Learn more here.

HH, HoH
Hard of Hearing. This term is used to describe a degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound for which a person usually receives some benefit from amplification. Most people who are hard of hearing are oralists (they communicate by using their voice), although a small number learn sign language. Usually people who are HoH participate in society by using their residual hearing with hearing aids, speech reading, and assistive devices to facilitate communication¹. For resources visit The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

HHS
see DHHS.

HI
Hearing Impaired. Hearing impairment happens when an individual's hearing is affected by a disease, disorder or injury. Hearing loss can be present at birth (deaf or hard of hearing people) or develop in childhood or adulthood (deafened people). There are a great many causes of deafness and hearing impairment. The biggest single cause is age, called age-related hearing loss. Learn more here.

HMO
Health Maintenance Organization. An HMO is a type of Managed Care Organization that provides a form of health insurance coverage in the United States that is fulfilled through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, care provided in an HMO generally follows a set of care guidelines provided through the HMO's network of providers. Under this model, providers contract with an HMO to receive more patients and in return usually agree to provide services at a discount. Learn more here.

HRSA
Health Resources and Services Administration. Health Resources and Services Administration. HRSA provides access to essential health care services for people who are low-income, uninsured or who live in rural areas or urban neighborhoods where health care is scarce. The agency helps prepare the nation's health care system and providers to respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies, maintains the National Health Service Corps and helps build the health care workforce through training and education programs. HRSA administers a variety of programs to improve the health of mothers and children and serves people living with HIV/AIDS through the Ryan White CARE Act programs. HRSA also oversees the nation's organ transplantation system. Established: 1982 HRSA is a public health agency of DHHS. www.hrsa.gov.

¹Definition taken from www.drf.org/HH_dictionary/glossary.htm.