[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48745-48746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18794]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Establishment of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization, 
Function, and Delegation of Authority for the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) is being amended at Chapter AC, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), as last amended at 75 FR 53304, 
dated August 31, 2010, and 72 FR 58095-96, dated October 12, 2007. 
Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, 
section 222(d), directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
establish an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to address the 
impact of climate change on the health of the American people. This 
amendment reflects the establishment of an office to address the impact 
of climate change on the health of the American people and to empower 
individuals through information, data, and scientific approaches to 
pursue environmental justice. Specifically, this notice establishes the 
Office of Climate Change and Health Equity in the OASH. The changes are 
as follows:
    A. Under Part A, Chapter AC, under the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Health, add the following:
    1. The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), is 
headed by a

[[Page 48746]]

Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health.
    2. OCCHE shall work with the Immediate Office of the Secretary, 
Staff Divisions, and Operating Divisions to focus on:

--Identifying communities with disproportionate exposures to climate 
hazards and vulnerable populations.
--Addressing health disparities exacerbated by climate impacts to 
enhance community health resilience.
--Promoting and translating research on public health benefits of 
multi-sectoral climate actions.
--Supporting regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 
criteria air pollution throughout the health care sector, including 
participating suppliers and providers.
--Fostering innovation in climate adaptation and resilience for people 
and communities experiencing a disproportionate share of climate 
impacts and health inequities.
--Providing expertise and coordination to the White House and other 
Federal agencies related to climate change and health equity 
deliverables and activities, including executive order implementation, 
and reporting on health adaptation actions under the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
--Promoting training opportunities to build the climate and health 
workforce and empower communities.
--Exploring opportunities to partner with the philanthropic and private 
sectors to support innovative programming to address disparities and 
health sector transformation.

Delegations of Authority

    Directives or orders made by the Secretary or the Assistant 
Secretary for Health, including all delegations and re-delegations of 
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational 
components will continue in force pending further delegation, if 
allowed, provided they are consistent with this realignment.

Andrea Palm,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-18794 Filed 8-30-21; 8:45 am]
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