Strategic elements for environmental justice / U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


ssiwict,

D^ART&E
£u 1/2-
NT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service

Office of the Assistant Secretary

for Health

Washington DC 20201

FEB ~2 **>

Dear Colleague:

On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898 entitled

"Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice inMinority Populations and
Low-Income Populations." Under the requirements of the Executive Order, each
department within the Federal Government is developing a strategic plan to

address environmental justice issues, including public participation in this process.

The issue ofenvironmental justice and the implementation of the Executive Order
is apriority of the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services (HHS). In no
other component of the Federal Government does a greater capacity exist for
addressing the health needs and concerns of low-income andminority
communities disproportionately affected by hazardous environmental exposures.

To begin the public comment period for the draft HHS Environmental Justice

strategic plan, a focus group was convened in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 19.

HHS also participated in amulti-agency public hearing on January 20, which
featured an evening session that was televised in several locations around the

United States.

Because of the importance of the development of the HHS Environmental Justice
strategic plan for all those interested in the costs, risks, and health burdens of
environmental decisions and exposures for low-income andminority communities

and workers, we are soliciting your review and comments on the enclosed draft

HHS Environmental Justice strategic plan.

We would like to encourage you to submit written comments byMarch 1, 1995,

to:

DOC

HE 1.2:EL 2/2 Department ofHealth and Human Services
Environmental Justice Strategic Plan /
c/oOffice ofMinority Health Resource Center
P.O. Box 37337
Washington, D.C. 20013-7337
FAX: (301) 589-0884

oH^
APR 1 4 \m

%-CiL\'? u ■s •DEPOSITOR
V


	Front Cover