Xavier Becerra Secretary at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | LinkedIn
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of preparing the health sector for the challenges brought on by climate change. Becerra stated, “The catastrophic and chronic risks to health posed by climate change are growing...We’re ramping up our efforts to make sure that the health sector is prepared for the threats that the summer will bring to communities, workers and families while also deepening its own sustainability through the billions of dollars in available tax credits, grants and other supports introduced by the IRA.”
One of the initiatives announced by HHS is an expansion of collaboration with England’s National Health Service (NHS) to address carbon emissions in the health sector supply chain. This effort will now include other nations' health systems such as the Australian Government, Health Services Executive (HSE) Ireland, and The Norwegian Hospital Procurement Trust.
Additionally, the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) is launching a second phase of the Catalytic Program on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to assist healthcare providers in taking advantage of tax credits and grants for clean energy investments. This program will provide support through webinars, recorded content, and case examples.
Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine highlighted the importance of addressing climate change's impact on vulnerable communities, stating, “Climate Change is rapidly changing the world we live in, widening health inequities and deepening disparities experienced by vulnerable communities across the country...We continue to prioritize work on climate health, accelerating decarbonization of the health care system, advancing environmental justice and introducing preparedness resources to strengthen local responses to climate-related challenges.”
HHS also released tools to address extreme heat, including the HeatRisk tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NOAA’s National Weather Service. This tool provides a 7-day heat forecast nationwide and offers personalized heat forecast information based on zip codes.
Furthermore, CDC developed Clinical Guidance on Heat and Health for clinicians to help at-risk individuals stay safe during high temperatures. This resource includes consumer-friendly materials for the public to take action to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
Lastly, an updated version of the EMS HeatTracker was launched by the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This tracker monitors Emergency Medical Services responses to heat-related emergencies to ensure aid reaches those in need and prioritize community resilience investments.
