[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33174-33175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11192]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Establishment of the Office of Environmental Justice

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) has 
modified its structure. This notice announces the establishment of the 
Office of Environmental Justice in OASH's Office of Climate Change and 
Health Equity.

DATES: This reorganization was approved by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services and takes effect May 31, 2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Statement of Organization and Functions, 
Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization and Function 
for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the 
Department) is being amended at Chapter AC, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Health (OASH), as last amended at 86 FR 48745, dated 
August 31, 2021, 75 FR 53304, dated August 31, 2010, and 72 FR 58095-
96, dated October 12, 2007.
    Background: Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at 
Home and Abroad, directs agencies, including Department of Health and 
Human Services to make achieving environmental justice part of its 
mission by developing programs, policies, and activities to address the 
disproportionately high and adverse human health, environmental, and 
climate-related and other cumulative impacts on disadvantaged 
communities. This amendment reflects the establishment of an office to 
coordinate and provide expertise to support the Department's efforts to 
protect the health of disadvantaged communities and vulnerable 
populations on the frontlines of pollution and environmental hazards. 
Specifically, 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 Environmental Justice (OEJ) is headed by a 
Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary for

[[Page 33175]]

Health through the Director of the Office of Climate Change and Health 
Equity.
    2. OEJ shall work with the Immediate Office of the Secretary, Staff 
Divisions, and Operating Divisions to focus on:
    <bullet> Leading initiatives that integrate environmental justice 
in the HHS mission to improve health in disadvantaged communities and 
vulnerable populations across the nation.
    <bullet> Supporting senior leadership at OASH and HHS on 
environmental justice and health issues.
    <bullet> Developing and implementing an HHS-wide strategy on 
environmental justice and health.
    <bullet> Coordinating annual HHS environmental justice reports.
    <bullet> Providing expertise and coordination to the White House, 
Secretary of HHS, and federal agencies related to environmental justice 
deliverables and activities, including executive order implementation.
    <bullet> Providing HHS Office of Civil Rights with environmental 
justice expertise to support compliance under Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964.
    <bullet> Promoting training opportunities to build an environmental 
justice workforce.

Xavier Becerra,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-11192 Filed 5-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-03-P