Skip to content

Environment and the Climate Crisis

As the threat of climate change continues to grow, its environmental consequences have exacerbated existing health disparities. New public health challenges, persistent air and water quality issues, and increased frequency of extreme weather events disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, who typically have less access to social, political, and economic power. A 2021 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that Black and African American individuals are 40% more likely than non-Black individuals to currently live in areas with the highest projected increases in mortality rates due to climate-driven changes in extreme temperatures. TRCC highlights policies that address these drastic inequities through climate mitigation and public health strategies to ensure a healthy, equitable and climate-resilient future for all Americans.

Ro_Khanna

Green New Deal for Health Act

    • Introduced on 4/20/23

    • 27 Co-Sponsors as of 3/18/24

​S. 1229 - Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) 

    • Introduced on 4/20/23

    • 3 Co-Sponsors as of 3/18/24

Edward_Markey

Description

This bill would:

  • Address the intersecting effects of the climate crisis, social and economic inequality and gaps in health care access in the U.S by investing in community health centers, community mental health services and community heat resilience programs.

  • Include funding to expand the community health workforce and provide climate & health education and training grants for providers to better understand the health impacts of the climate crisis.

  • Establish a public accountability process when hospitals propose closures or reductions of services and a federal grants program for public and nonprofit medical facilities working to improve their climate resilience and disaster mitigation efforts.

  • Direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a task force to develop policies and procedures for the mandatory public disclosure of emissions and climate risk of FDA-approved drugs, devices, and biologics in an effort to establish a transparent, resilient, and green medical supply chain.

  • Direct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop reports to support public health and healthcare professionals in preparing for and responding to the health impacts and health disparities of climate change.

Status

  • The bills were referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Additional Information

Contact

Scroll To Top