20 Years of Executive Order 12898: Environmental Justice and the Federal Response

February 11, 2014 marked the 20-year anniversary of Executive Order 12898, President Bill Clinton’s charge to all federal agencies to address disparate environmental and human health conditions in minority and low-income communities, with the goal of achieving environmental justice. In the 20 years since the signing of Executive Order 12989, federal agencies have re-invigorated their efforts to advance environmental justice.  This workshop will identify milestones in the environmental justice movement, outline progress made in achieving environmental justice, and highlight continued efforts to create lasting impact in communities.  CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Agency for Toxic substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are strengthening efforts in identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse effects of environmental hazards on minority, low-income and tribal communities. In this session, panelists will discuss new efforts to advance environmental justice at the federal level and highlight programs or initiatives in the following areas: use of health impact assessments (HIA) to effectively address environmental concerns; reduction of asthma and elevated blood lead levels in children; revitalization of brownfields and hazardous waste sites; strengthening adaptation to extreme climate events, and building tribal capacity to understand the effects of the environment on human health.