[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20876-20878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07514]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Information (RFI): 2022 HHS Environmental Justice 
Strategy and Implementation Plan Draft Outline

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

ACTION: Notice of request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing 
this Request for Information (RFI) to receive input from the public on 
HHS' draft outline to further the development of the 2022 Environmental 
Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan. Consistent with the policy of 
this administration directing HHS to make achieving environmental 
justice part of its mission, HHS would like to identify priority 
actions and strategies to best address environmental injustices and 
health inequities for people of color, disadvantaged, vulnerable, low-
income, marginalized, and indigenous populations. With the engagement 
of and input from the public, the 2022 Environmental Justice Strategy 
and Implementation Plan will serve as a guide to confront environmental 
and health disparities and implement a multifaceted approach that will 
serve vulnerable populations and communities disproportionately 
impacted by environmental burdens.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at the 
email address provided below, no later than midnight Eastern Time (ET) 
on May 19, 2022. HHS will not reply individually to responders but will 
consider all comments submitted by the deadline. Do not provide 
confidential information as comments may be published or otherwise used 
for agency purposes.

ADDRESSES: Please submit all responses via email to 
[email protected] as a Word document or in the body of an email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. LaToria Whitehead, Senior Public 
Health Analyst, email: [email protected], phone: (770) 488-3633.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The mission of the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services is to enhance the health and well-being of 
Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by 
fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying 
medicine, public health, and social services. For years studies have 
demonstrated that people of color and disadvantaged, vulnerable, low-
income, marginalized, and indigenous populations are disproportionately 
burdened by environmental hazards.\1\ These populations are often 
exposed to unhealthy land uses, poor air and water quality, dilapidated 
housing, lead exposure, and other environmental threats that drive 
health disparities. Many of these communities are underserved and 
surrounded by social inequities such as job insecurity, 
underemployment, linguistic isolation, underperforming schools, noise, 
crowded homes, lack of access to

[[Page 20877]]

healthy foods and transportation, and limitations on access to and 
participation in the decision-making processes.2 3 The 
combination of environmental risks and social inequities creates a 
cumulative, disproportionate impact that hinders optimal health and 
environmental justice for these populations.\4\ The Environmental 
Protection Agency defines Environmental Justice (EJ) as ``the fair 
treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, 
color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, 
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and 
policies''.\5\
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    \1\ Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty 1987--2007. A Report 
Prepared for the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness 
Ministries. Principal Authors: Bullard R, Mohai P, Saha R, Wright B. 
2007.
    \2\ Bullard RD, Johnson GS, Torres AO. Environmental Health and 
Racial Equity in the United States. Building Environmentally Just, 
Sustainable, and Livable Communities. Washington, DC: American 
Public Health Association Press. 2011.
    \3\ Morello-Frosch R, Zuk M, Jerrett M, Shamasunder B. 
Understanding the Cumulative impacts of inequalities in 
Environmental Health: Implications for Policy. Health Affairs. 2011.
    \4\ Cushing L, Morello-Frosch R, Wander M, Pastor M. The Haves, 
the Have-Nots, and the Health of Everyone: The Relationship Between 
Social Inequality and Environmental Quality. Annual Review of Public 
Health. 2015.
    \5\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Environmental 
Justice. Environmental Justice [verbar] US EPA.
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    On January 27, 2021, President Biden directed the 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.\6\ In 1994, President Clinton signed 
Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice 
in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, also directing 
federal agencies to ``make achieving environmental justice part of its 
mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority 
populations and low-income populations.'' Executive Order 12898 
required each agency to develop an agency-wide environmental justice 
strategy specific to that agency's mission. In response, HHS issued its 
first Environmental Justice Strategy in 1995. Federal environmental 
justice efforts were reinvigorated in 2010 and in 2012, and again, HHS 
responded with release of an updated Environmental Justice Strategy and 
Implementation Plan.\7\ Currently, to support the executive order 
initiatives, and to pursue the Administration's policy priorities for 
environmental justice, a revised strategy focused on short-term 
concrete actions, alongside thoughtful long-term planning, is required. 
OASH has convened and tasked the HHS Environmental Justice Working 
Group to develop the 2022 HHS Environmental Justice Strategy and 
Implementation Plan.
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    \6\ Executive Order 14008. ``Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home 
and Abroad.'' 86 FR 7619 (January 27, 2021). See https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad.
    \7\ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 2012 
Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan. See 2012 HHS 
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
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    The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek public 
comment on the 2022 HHS Environmental Justice Strategy and 
Implementation Plan Draft Outline. The goal of the HHS Environmental 
Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan is to provide direction for 
HHS efforts, pursue the Administration's policy priorities and identify 
priority actions for environmental justice. The draft outline provides 
a general overview and a platform of how the plan will be structured. 
Within the outline, each strategic element is aligned to priority 
actions that HHS will carry out. Please see the Draft Strategy Outline 
below, followed by a request for information in the form of questions 
to the public.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2022 Environmental Justice 
Strategy and Implementation Plan Draft Outline

    The 2022 HHS Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan 
will likely include six interrelated strategic elements that mirror the 
2012 HHS Environmental Justice Strategy. The elements include two new 
strategic elements: (1) Partnerships and Community Engagement and (2) 
Performance Measures. The additional elements align to Executive Order 
12898 to engage and partner with disadvantaged populations in building 
sustainable and healthy communities and creating performance measures 
to evaluate the process and the outcomes of activities that address 
adverse environmental conditions. The six proposed strategic elements 
are:

(1) Services
(2) Partnerships and Community Engagement
(3) Policy Development and Dissemination
(4) Research and Data Collection, Analysis, and Utilization
(5) Education and Training
(6) Performance Measures

    For each strategic element, the 2022 HHS EJ Strategy will include 
priority actions to be undertaken by designated HHS Operating Divisions 
and Staff Divisions.

I. Services

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Increase linguistic and culturally appropriate outreach to 
racial and ethnic minority, low[hyphen]income, and Indigenous 
populations, and Native American persons with disproportionately high 
and adverse environmental exposures to raise their awareness of the 
availability of technical assistance for applying for HHS funding.
    [ssquf] Expand funding opportunities to disadvantaged communities 
for economic development and social services.

II. Partnerships and Community Engagement (Public Engagement)

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Establish partnerships with disadvantaged communities to 
assess and address disproportionate environmental exposures and health 
risks.
    [ssquf] Partner with offices and departments with Title VI 
enforcement and compliance responsibilities to address environmental 
injustices and ensure that disadvantaged communities can effectively 
participate in and benefit from federally funded public health and 
social service programs and activities without discrimination.
    [ssquf] Work with federal partners and various stakeholders to 
provide coordinated technical assistance and support to programs 
focused on disadvantaged communities.
    [ssquf] Promote actions and seek resources to overcome 
participation barriers such as language and culture.

III. Policy Development and Implementation

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Identify and provide technical assistance to HHS programs 
covered under the Justice40 Initiative to ensure 40 percent of the 
overall benefits the programs provide flow to disadvantaged 
communities.
    [ssquf] Provide home cooling, weatherization, and/or low-cost home 
energy assistance to communities disproportionately affected by extreme 
weather events.

[[Page 20878]]

    [ssquf] Fund and implement training and workforce development 
programs that build skills and careers related to climate, natural 
disasters, environment, clean energy, clean transportation, housing, 
water and wastewater infrastructure, and legacy pollution reduction.

IV. Research and Data Collection, Analysis, Utilization

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Support research that explores the multiple and complex 
factors contributing to minority health disparities, including but not 
limited to environmental factors acting independently or dependently 
across multiple social levels.
    [ssquf] Support the spectrum of community engaged research 
including community-based participatory research and community led 
research. Additionally, strengthen authentic community engagement in 
planning, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating effective 
interventions for diseases disproportionately affecting disadvantaged 
communities and vulnerable populations.
    [ssquf] Coordinate the design, dissemination, and utilization of an 
environmental justice and social vulnerability data dashboard and 
index, for identifying, tracking, and addressing environmental burden 
and health inequities in disadvantaged communities.
    [ssquf] Report research data to communities using culturally 
appropriate and accessible methods.

V. Education and Training

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Provide data, training, and technical assistance to 
disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations at higher risk for 
exposure to harmful environmental and health hazards.
    [ssquf] Deliver comprehensive training to increase opportunities 
for individuals from disadvantaged, overburdened, and underserved 
communities to obtain careers in environmental cleanup, construction, 
hazardous waste removal, and emergency response.
    [ssquf] Develop guidance and templates to assist states and tribes 
in the communication of environmental and health risks to households 
and communities.
    [ssquf] Develop environmental justice training programs for Federal 
staff, primary health care and public health professionals, and policy 
and other decision-makers.

VI. Performance Measures (Evaluation)

[cir] Priority Action(s)
    [ssquf] Develop milestones and provide periodic progress to 
demonstrate accountability and progress.
    HHS is requesting information from the public regarding the 
following questions:

Environmental Justice Core Principles

    1. What Environmental Justice Core Principles should be included in 
the HHS EJ Strategy to advance environmental justice for disadvantaged 
communities?
    2. How should HHS incorporate Environmental Justice Core Principles 
in the HHS EJ Strategy?

Strategic Elements

    1. Do the Strategic Elements reflect relevant areas of 
environmental justice that address the needs of disadvantaged 
communities?
    2. Are there additional Strategic Elements that should be included 
in the HHS EJ Strategy?

Priority Actions

    1. Do the Priority Actions capture the urgent, environmental 
justice issues of today?
    2. If not, what additional Priority Actions should be included 
within the HHS EJ Strategy?

Research and Data Tools

    1. What research methods, research questions, and data tools should 
HHS use to address environmental justice and social determinants of 
health?

Additional Information

    1. What other strategies can be included within the 2022 HHS 
Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan to address 
environmental justice and health equity issues for disadvantaged 
populations?
    HHS encourages all potentially interested parties--individuals, 
associations, governmental, non-governmental organizations, academic 
institutions, and private sector entities--to respond. HHS is 
interested in the questions listed above, but respondents are welcome 
to address as many or as few as they choose and to address additional 
areas of interest not listed. To facilitate review of the responses, 
please reference the question category and number in your response.

Arsenio Mataka,
Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, 
Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2022-07514 Filed 4-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P