Proposed Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, subcommittee on Health, introduced a bill yesterday entitled the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act, H.R.2323, aimed at addressing the health effects of climate change. The general purpose of the proposed law is to require that the: “Secretary of Health and Human Services, within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, on the basis of the best available science, and in consultation pursuant to paragraph (2), shall publish a strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change on public health in the United States and other nations, particularly developing nations.”

The proposed law appears to be, at least in part, a response to a recent report from the Environmental Defense Fund raising concern over the increasing adverse impacts of climate change upon human health and in a press release issued today the Environmental Defense Fund praised the proposed legislation.