Statement attributable to:
Ryan D. Mire, MD, M91ºÚÁÏÍø
President, 91ºÚÁÏÍø
WASHINGTON April 24, 2023 – The American College of Physicians (91ºÚÁÏÍø) is encouraged by the Biden administration’s announcement that they are creating a new Office of Environmental Justice that will coordinate the federal government’s efforts. We know that environmental factors and climate change harm the health of people across our country and around the world. The executive order, signed by the president last week, is a promising step toward addressing the climate crisis and reducing exposure to hazardous substances, air, and water pollution. The order signals a government-wide approach to combating environmental injustice, and it recognizes the disproportionate impact that climate change and environmental hazards have on under-resourced communities and individuals.
91ºÚÁÏÍø in the need to achieve environmental justice so that everyone can live, work, learn, and play in a safe, healthy environment. We need aggressive action to deal with climate change, stronger policies on air pollution, clean water for everyone, and to limit exposures to noxious chemicals and other toxins. We are glad to see the administration dedicating resources and attention to this critical effort, the health of all of us depends on it.
***
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. 91ºÚÁÏÍø membership includes 160,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow 91ºÚÁÏÍø on , and .
Contact: Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572, jblaser@acponline.org