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ARTICLE · 19 NOVEMBER 2021

HHS Turns Up The Heat On Climate Change With New Office

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently established the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), reinforcing the Biden-Harris administration's strong commitment to...

United StatesEnvironment
Kenneth J. Markowitz
Kenneth J. Markowitz
John Jacob
John Jacob
Louis T. Agnello
Louis T. Agnello
Sam Throm (Paralegal)
Sam Throm (Paralegal)
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The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently established the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), reinforcing the Biden-Harris administration's strong commitment to mitigating legacy damage from climate change and building resiliency for the future. Established in response to President Biden's Executive Order in January, the office officially opened on August 1.

John Balbus has been named the interim director and Garey Rice will serve as the Chief Climate Action Officer. Despite opening with little prior fanfare and a planned budget of only around $3 million (enough for around eight employees), the office has wide-ranging ambitions.

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