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News Release


*For Immediate Release:*

October 10, 2024

*   *

*Public Health Unveils the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health’s Strategic Plan*

 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released today the five-year Strategic Plan for the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health (OEJCH), which will address historic and contemporary government decisions that have exposed vulnerable populations to environmental hazards.

The Strategic Plan was developed in collaboration with interagency, community-based, and tribal partners to enhance Public Health’s ability to prevent and mitigate environmental and climate health impacts. OEJCH will serve as a central hub for health-focused environmental justice and climate health goals, providing comprehensive data, health recommendations, policy solutions, and mitigation strategies. 

Key focus areas of the Strategic Plan include:


* *Community Engagement and Partnerships:* Foster community relationships to ensure two-way communication and develop community solutions.
* *Interagency Coordination and Government Engagement:* Cultivate collaboration between public, private, and community partners to develop solutions to environmental and climate health threats.
* *Policy:* Track, inform, and develop impactful environmental justice and climate health policies.
* *Data:* Collect, interpret, and share accessible actionable environmental justice and climate health data with partners and the public to highlight emerging issues and actively inform policies and programs.
* *Accountability and Communications:* Develop and foster direct and transparent communications to keep the community and partners informed of the roles, responsibilities, and progress of OEJCH.

“For too long our approach to pollution, climate risks, and toxic contamination was reactive, responding after the damage to some of our most vulnerable communities had already reached a crisis level,” *said Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County District Four Supervisor. *“Today we’re writing a new chapter. With the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health we’re baking environmental justice into our work Countywide and proactively putting the health of those communities front and center.”

"Climate change and environmental injustice are urgent public health crises. The rapid increase in extreme heat, air pollution, and hazardous waste disproportionately affects our most vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues is crucial for protecting public health and ensuring equitable access to clean environments for all,” *said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District.* “By adopting this strategic plan, we are prioritizing sustainable practices and stronger regulations, prioritizing the health of marginalized communities. Our collective future depends on the actions we take today to safeguard both human health and our planet."

“The Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health’s Strategic Plan paves a road for Los Angeles County to serve and protect our communities from the hazards of environmental injustice and climate change,” *said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.* “By addressing  disparities and building climate resilience for all communities, Los Angeles County is poised to become a national leader in environmental justice and climate health. Public Health is committed to advancing equity and justice for all Los Angeles County’s people, ensuring that everyone can live a healthy and fulfilling life free of environmental toxins and disproportionate impacts of climate change.”

On April 5, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion [ https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/fdc5711e-582c-4ad4-b76a-ab520aff5624.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= ] to establish the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health (OEJCH). Formerly known as the Toxicology and Environmental Assessment (TEA) Branch, OEJCH will incorporate TEA’s response work while increasing Public Health’s prevention initiatives and capabilities.

The five-year Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap for OEJCH to create a safe, healthy, and just environment for all communities throughout Los Angeles County. This release is timely as the County continues to experience the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat, severe storms, and more frequent wildfires.  OEJCH's plan involves partnering with communities and governments to tackle both pollution and climate risks through proactive emergency response and prevention.

To read the Strategic Plan, visit the OEJCH website [ http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/about/environmental-justice-climate-health.htm?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= ].


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"*The Los Angeles County Departmen**t of Public Health* "

"The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well -being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises of more than 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion."

 

"Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works to protect health, 
prevent disease, and promote health and well-being."

 

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