John Balbus: Leading the Charge Against Climate Change at HHS

John Balbus, the federal official in charge of addressing the effects of climate change on public health, leads the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. This office was established three years ago by President Joe Biden to streamline efforts within the department to address the health impacts of climate change.

One of its significant initiatives has been to encourage the health sector to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental health advocates have raised concerns about the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on climate programs at HHS. Some House Democrats have introduced legislation aimed at protecting climate funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in response to these concerns.

Balbus expressed his optimism about the continuity of their work regardless of the outcome of the presidential election between Biden and the likely Republican nominee, Donald Trump. He believes that the work being done will speak for itself regardless of which party is in charge of the White House. The future of climate change initiatives within the department remains a topic of debate and concern as the election approaches.