HHS’ priority is to improve the well-being of underserved communities, including, low-income communities and communities of color, who continue to bear the brunt of pollution from industrial development, agricultural practices, cumulative impacts of land use decisions, transportation, and trade corridors.
To address this priority, we’re taking action to:
- Lead and convene the HHS Environmental Justice Working Group to ensure a cross-departmental approach
- Develop and implement a comprehensive HHS Environmental Justice Strategy that outlines a framework for addressing the concerns and needs of communities
- Provide expertise and coordination to the White House, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and federal agencies related to health and environmental justice activities and deliverables including executive order implementation to ensure cross agency collaboration and an all-of-government approach
- Providing HHS Office of Civil Rights with environmental justice expertise to support compliance under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Develop an environmental justice data strategy for identifying, tracking, and addressing environmental burden and health inequities in disadvantaged communities
- Develop a two-way engagement to reach and partner with a wide range of stakeholders
