Which entity regulates the privacy of health information in the United States?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the correct entity that regulates the privacy of health information in the United States. Specifically, OCR is responsible for enforcing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which establishes national standards for the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). This includes ensuring that individuals' health information is kept confidential and educating both organizations and the public about their rights under the law.

OCR oversees compliance with HIPAA's provisions and handles complaints about violations, making it a central agency for protecting health information privacy. Through its activities, OCR helps to ensure that health information is shared only with appropriate consent and safeguards are maintained to protect it from unauthorized access.

In contrast, other entities such as the FDA, CDC, and NIH have different primary missions. The FDA focuses on regulating food and drug products, the CDC works on public health and disease prevention, and the NIH is involved in medical research. While these organizations may interact with health information in their respective areas, they do not specifically regulate its privacy, which is the role of the OCR.