WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) introduced legislation to improve the public health response to global warming. The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act would address the negative health effects related to climate change by supporting research, surveillance, planning and interagency coordination. The legislation is particularly timely given the Environmental Protection Agency’s official finding last month that climate change endangers human health and welfare, and comes as the House moves forward with consideration of legislation to address climate change authored by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-7) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (MA -7), the “American Clean Energy and Security Act.” Joining Capps in introducing the legislation were Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-5) and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (WI-2).
“One of the most troubling areas where climate change’s impact is immediately felt is in its negative effect on public health,” said Congresswoman Capps, a public health nurse and Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. “We see it firsthand in our families as more of our kids struggle with asthma and allergies. We have to provide our public health officials with the tools and resources they need to track and effectively combat the public health challenges posed by climate change.”
Climate change is a concern for public health agencies and is often attributed to be a significant factor in recent increases in: allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses; emerging tropical diseases; life-threatening temperatures; and drought and foot shortages. While public health officials recognize the negative impact of climate change few have resources to tackle the problem, according to a national survey conducted last year by Environmental Defense Fund, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and George Mason University.
“It is clear that climate change threatens the health of our planet, but it also threatens the health of the people who live on it,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05), an original co-sponsor of the legislation. “Congresswoman Lois Capps is an effective and passionate leader on public health issues, and I have been pleased to work with her over the years as we tackle serious challenges to our constituents’--and our planet’s--wellbeing. The Climate Change Health and Protection Act that Congresswoman Capps introduced this week is another example of how she continues to fight for the health and welfare of every American, at every opportunity.”
“The science is clear – climate change is detrimental to human health,” said Congresswoman Baldwin (WI-02). “This bill helps prepare our health systems to confront the negative impact of climate change, and reduce the toll caused by pollution, water-, food-, and vector-borne infectious diseases, and other environmental hazards. I am honored to join my colleagues in advancing this critically important legislation,” Baldwin said.
Congresswoman Capps’ legislation would help improve the public health response to the challenges posed by climate change by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a National Strategic Action Plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the public health effects of climate change. It would also authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to research the health effects of climate change and health implications of potential greenhouse gas reduction strategies, as well as bolster climate change preparedness planning around the country.
“As a nurse for two decades, Rep. Capps understands that climate change will be a life and death issue for many Americans if we don’t prepare for its health impacts,” said EDF Chief Health Scientist Dr. John Balbus, who is a member of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research and Medicine. “This bill is a critical step in meeting the public health challenges posed by climate change and our responses to it.”
“Rep. Capps is providing invaluable leadership by recognizing and promoting new and innovative ways to prepare for the health risks of climate change,” said Jeff Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH. “We’re already witnessing how climate change is leading to new health problems. This bill would help ensure that public health officials across the country, who we rely on to protect us from infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies, can meet the challenges we face.”
“Children, the elderly, and people with many common medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma are especially at risk as the climate warms and health threats multiply,” said Gina Solomon, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist at NRDC. “We need to prepare today so people don’t suffer tomorrow.”
“Climate change affects our environment on the most fundamental level,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association. “It affects the air we breathe and the food available for us to eat. It affects the availability of drinking water and the spread of diseases that can make us sick. This legislation will help us better prepare for and protect ourselves from one of the greatest threats to human health. We are deeply grateful to Rep. Capps for her leadership on this issue,” said Benjamin. “Changes in our climate will profoundly affect public health now into the future.”
Congresswoman Capps’ legislation bill also would authorize the Centers for Disease Control to:
* Provide technical support to state, local, and tribal health departments in forecasting local effects, developing preparedness plans, and communicating with the public about the health effects of climate change;
* Develop training programs for public health professionals on the health risks and interventions related to climate change;
* Enhance domestic and international tracking capacity for infectious diseases and environmental health indicators;
* Develop a coordinated research and preparedness agenda on climate and health by working with other Federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy
* Contract with the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine to prepare a report that assesses the needs for health professionals to prepare for and respond to climate change impacts on public health and recommends programs to meet those needs. The report would be due within 18 months after the bill becomes law.
A summary of the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act Follows:
The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a National Strategic Action Plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the public health effects of climate change.
SENSE OF CONGRESS
The Act establishes a Sense of Congress that directs all levels of government to prepare for and respond to the public health impacts of climate change, with an emphasis on adequately preparing health professionals and protecting vulnerable populations and developing nations. It also advances research, education, and collaborative efforts related to public health and climate change.
NATIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN
The Act directs the HHS Secretary, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to publish a National Strategic Action Plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change on public health. The creation and revision of the National Strategic Action Plan will be made in conjunction with a number of Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies, as well as other stakeholders. The Act prioritizes research, monitoring, education, and outreach, and also directs the CDC to conduct and fund research and preparedness planning. The Secretary is required to revise the National Strategic Action Plan every four years.
ADVISORY BOARD
The Act establishes a permanent scientific advisory board to provide scientific and technical advice and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS.
REPORTS
The Act requires the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine to issue a report to Congress, no later than 18 months after the date of enactment, that assesses the needs regarding climate change and public health domestically and internationally, and recommends programs to meet those needs. After the initial report, every four years the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine will submit periodic reports to Congress that review scientific developments on health impacts of climate change and recommend changes to the National Strategic Action Plan.
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
The Act authorizes all appropriated funds to be made available to the Secretary. It also gives the Secretary authority to distribute those funds to other departments and agencies of the Federal government and foreign, State, tribal and local governments.
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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with
