Senator Murray Applauds Creation of HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity

Murray: “It is painfully clear climate action, public health, and equity, are each urgent crises and all are inextricably linked. The creation of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity at HHS shows the Biden Administration understands that important reality.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of  the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration announcing the creation of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“The climate crisis is happening right now and we're already seeing the damage it has done to public health across the country. Here in Washington state, our families are breathing in the smoke from what will likely be our worst wildfire season ever, and a once-in-a-millennium heatwave led to at least 112 deaths in our state. On the other side of the nation, Louisiana is grappling with the devastating fallout of Hurricane Ida, including the tremendous challenge of simultaneously addressing the public health impacts of a pandemic and a hurricane. We have also seen time and again that when disasters like these strike, they strike hardest in communities of color and among people with disabilities and people with low incomes.

“It is painfully clear climate action, public health, and equity, are each urgent crises and all are inextricably linked. The creation of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity at HHS shows the Biden Administration understands that important reality. I look forward to working with this new office and continuing to push for swift, bold action on these critical issues.”

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