Adm. Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, recently stated that addressing climate change’s health impacts over the next four years may require health officials to avoid mentioning climate change. This statement was made during an event at the American Geophysical Union’s annual conference.
According to Levine, the “health consequences” of climate change, such as extreme heat stress and increased rates of vector-borne diseases, are already happening and will need to be addressed by the Biden administration regardless of whether they are connected to climate change. She also emphasized the need for finding a common language to address these issues with the new administration.
Levine’s statement highlights the challenges that may arise in addressing climate change under the new administration. While the Biden administration has made climate change a top priority, there may be resistance to using the term “climate change” due to political reasons. This could potentially hinder efforts to address the health impacts of climate change.
However, Levine remains hopeful that the administration can be engaged about the facts and that a common language can be found to address these issues. She also stressed that changing the words used does not signify a retreat from addressing climate change.
This statement by Levine highlights the importance of finding effective ways to communicate about climate change and its health impacts. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration and cooperation between different sectors in addressing this global issue. As the Biden administration takes office, it will be crucial to find a balance between using accurate terminology and effectively communicating the urgency of addressing climate change’s health impacts.