The Climate Change and Health Equity Program (CCHEP) embeds health and equity in California climate change planning, and embeds climate change and equity in public health planning . CCHEP works with local, state, and national partners to assure that climate change mitigation and adaptation activities have beneficial effects on health while not exacerbating already existing unfair and preventable differences in health status of some groups (health inequities). CCHEP implements California’s climate change laws and executive orders, contributing health equity considerations.
The Climate Change and Health Equity Program (CCHEP) embeds health and equity in California climate change planning, and embeds climate change and equity in public health planning . CCHEP works with local, state, and national partners to assure that climate change mitigation and adaptation activities have beneficial effects on health while not exacerbating already existing unfair and preventable differences in health status of some groups (health inequities). CCHEP implements California’s climate change laws and executive orders, contributing health equity considerations.
Climate Action and Advancing Health Equity
Climate change and health inequities share similar root causes: the inequitable distribution of social, political, and economic power . These power imbalances result in systems (economic, transportation, land use, etc.) and conditions that drive both health inequities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a result, we see communities with inequitable living conditions, such as low-income communities of color living in more polluted areas, facing climate change impacts that compound and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Fair and healthy climate action requires addressing the inequities that create and intensify community vulnerabilities, through strategically directing extra investments in improving living conditions for and with people facing disadvantage . The CCHEP provides health equity input into California’s plans for transportation, housing, land use planning, and other systems that affect both health outcomes and vulnerability to climate change impacts.
The good news is that addressing climate change represents a significant opportunity to improve public health and advance health equity . Many actions that limit climate change also improve the health of families and communities and reduce health inequities.
Climate Action Strategy |
Potential Health Benefits |
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Inclusive economic prosperity
Invest in economic drivers such as schools and small businesses, sustainable and inclusive business practices, policies that reduce income inequality, fair and accountable public institutions |
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Create safe, stable, living wage, green jobs Prioritize economically disadvantaged communities for labor and workforce development |
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Reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) |
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Reduce emissions through land use changes |
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Buy local, farmers markets, gardens, reduce consumption of red and processed meats |
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Urban and community greening Tree planting, parks, green infrastructure |
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Reducing building energy use Energy efficiency, weatherization, cool roofs / green roofs, water conservation |
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