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​Environmental Justice Efforts at the NIH

​​​​Environmental justice (EJ) means the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, to fully protect them from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects. Its purpose is to address the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, particularly with respect to marginalized and disadvantaged communities. A full article on federal requirements associated with environmental justice is available here. ​​​

Mr. Xavier Becerra, HHS Secretary, appointed Dr. Trevor Archer in 2023 to be the Senior Leader Point of Contact for NIH environmental justice initiatives. Under Dr. Archer’s direction, the NIH EJ Working Group was soon formed. The team has developed three strategic and transformative actions, encompassing research, community engagement and training programs. These are initiatives which they have been developing over the last 18 months.

The first, renewing the Environmental Health Disparities (EHD) Centers, builds on the established EHD Centers involving NIEHS, NIMHD and NICHD. It requires combining resources to improve the pre-existing environmental justice efforts the NIH maintains. These improvements would include equipping EHD Centers with social determinants of health (SDOH) evaluation models, multilevel intervention systems and implementation research that directly involves local communities.

The second, the Environmental Justice Scholars Program, is an example of the unique, collaborative culture of NIH research to further environmental justice. The EJ Scholars Program seeks to bring in leaders from academia, health care, public health and community-based organizations who have expertise in environmental justice. In exchange for a stipend, eligible scholars will work with NIH staff to address a range of environmental justice issues such as environmental and occupational health disparities, racial equity and climate-related research. This program will not only improve environmental justice awareness but also contribute to EO 14057 goals​ as well.

The third, the Environmental Justice Training Program, has two main focus areas: researchers and staff, and communities. The goal is to build the capacity of at-risk communities to address current and emerging environmental threats and environmental justice-related issues. This goal is accomplished by engaging with community residents and community-based organizations.

These three actions are at the forefront of a great variety of NIH initiatives to support environmental justice. For more examples of the diligent work Dr. Archer, NIEHS, and their partners are doing, visit their webpage​. A detailed report on the history of NIEHS advancing environmental justice is available here.

​Spotlight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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​Environmental Justice with Dr. Trevor Archer​ ​ ​​Dr. Trevor Archer is the Deputy Director of NIEHS and, since 2023, he has served as the Senior Leader Point of Contact for the NIH regarding Environmental Justice under Executive Order 14096.​ Read his interview to learn about the NIH initiatives he is leading to address environmental justice. LEA​RN MORE​​​​

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​Environmental Justice Trainings, Indexes and Data Maps​ ​ ​There are a wide variety of ways in which NIH employees can help advance environmental justice (EJ) principles. By learning, getting involved, and committing yourself to positive change, you can help progress EJ regardless of your status or position! ​​LEARN MORE​​​​​

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​​Environmental Justice covers a wide variety of social justice issues, such as the negative health effects of landfills placed near low income areas or the effects of a lack of access to public green spaces. To learn more about environmental justice at the NIH, please visit the NEMS T​raining webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.

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