released Thursday by the Department of Health and Human Services sketch Addressing environmental health issues looks very similar to the environmental justice strategy outlined in 1995, but with a greater focus on climate change and the communities most affected by extreme weather.

The department seeks public comment on whether the strategy it outlines adequately addresses key environmental issues. Experts say HHS needs to focus on addressing the industry’s own carbon footprint and waste, as well as occupational health hazards.

Here are five key points about the draft:

1. Insufficient funding details

No funds have been allocated for the program, and the size of the pot largely determines its effectiveness.

WHO estimate Climate-related health issues will cost between $2 billion and $4 billion annually by 2030. xx Historically marginalized communities will bear the brunt of these health issues, as they, like xx, will be adversely affected, similar to other environmental issues such as access to clean water and exposure to toxic waste.

HHS said it will build community-based partnerships and work with local and state health departments to reduce disparities between federally funded social service programs. The department also plans to fund cooling installations and energy allowances in areas severely affected by extreme weather events.

In 2021, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will increase research funding by $200 million year-over-year to better understand the health impacts of climate change. The American Jobs Program invested $1.5 billion in public health funding, some of which will be used to build resilience to climate change.

2. New focus on racial and economic disparities

A new component of HHS’ Environmental Justice Program is its focus on racial and economic disparities and serving communities disproportionately affected by environmental health problems.

HHS plans to improve language and cultural competencies in health care delivery and advance research into factors that contribute to racial health disparities, especially among Blacks and Indigenous peoples.

“They spend a lot of resources addressing structural racism and the determinants of health and environmental exposure,” said Paloma Beemer, a professor of public health at the University of Arizona. “It’s very exciting.”

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3. Reduce industry emissions and environmental impact

While the plan is primarily focused on tackling environmental inequality, there are opportunities to focus on reducing the healthcare industry’s own environmental footprint, Beamer said.

It is estimated that the U.S. healthcare industry responsible It accounts for 8.5% of the country’s carbon emissions. Globally, the United States accounts for 25 percent of total global health sector emissions, according to researchers at the National Academy of Medicine.

in a separate Climate Change Initiative, HHS Internally Focused emission reduction Improve climate resilience across federal operations and provide incentives for the private sector Play with.

“Our plan provides a roadmap to ensure we work together to address climate change-related threats to the health and well-being of all Americans, especially those most vulnerable,” an HHS spokesperson said. Continuity of facilities in the face of extreme weather events and promotes healthy greenhouse gas reduction and resilience efforts in the public health sector and communities.”

4. Workforce recruitment and training

The draft plan promises to recruit from underserved communities to fill environmental hazard cleanup, construction and emergency response jobs, and to establish an environmental justice training program among federal workers and health care workers.

HHS should target these communities to expand the field of public health and primary care clinicians, Beamer said.

5. Occupational hazards

There was no discussion in the draft, but occupational health hazards should also be included in the discussion, Beamer said, and more research is needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, workplace illnesses and injuries cost the U.S. $250 billion in healthcare costs each year.

Regulations related to workplace safety generally fall under the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but HHS funds research on workplace illnesses and injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.