About the CCHE Branch

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE) Branch envisions a state where all Californians thrive in healthy and equitable communities. We work to achieve this by building health equity, strengthening community resilience, advancing climate action and improving living conditions through policies, systems and environmental changes. ​

Why We Take Climate Action

Climate change is the greatest public health threat of our time, and it touches all aspects of our health and wellbeing. Those facing inequities are hurt first and worst. Taking climate action improves health and equity for current and future generations.​

What We Do

The CCHE Branch provides a “climate, health and equity in all policies" lens to state climate change work, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate impacts while improving health. In partnership with state and local agencies, Tribal health programs, community-based organizations and other partners, we:

• Embed health and racial equity into climate plans, programs and policies impacting living conditions.

• Leverage climate change investments by embedding health equity metrics and tools, so that climate programs addressing housing, land use and transportation also improve health.

• Provide data and tools to reduce the health effects of climate change.

• Increase state, local and Tribal partners' capacity through technical assistance.

• Engage and uplift community voices in health equity and climate action decisions (including engaging communities in our Shared Vision and Action Plan). ​

​Our Major Focus Areas

• Statewide Cross-Sector Climate Change Policy, Planning and Programs that promote health and racial​​ equity and build climate resilience for communities
  

• Land Use Planning with emphasis on building within unused and underutilized lands within existing development patterns (compact / infill development) and creating transit-oriented neighborhoods with easy access to daily needs to reduce the need to drive and facilitate healthy and active living

• Transportation / Clean Mobility Options that prioritize accessible walking, cycling and public transit
  

• Housing and Anti-Displacement -- affordable, healthy, energy-efficient and climate resilient homes
  

• Clean Energy, including reducing barriers for low-income populations and disadvantaged communities to access clean energy and ensuring energy security and resiliency
  

• Natural and Working Lands, including sustainable and local food systems that enable healthy eating and food sovereignty
  

• Urban Greening and Green Infrastructure that provide nature-based climate and health solutions
  

• Labor and Workforce Development -- support workforce development and hiring practices that advance racial and health equity in the low-carbon and care economies
  

• Community engagement -- meaningful community engagement that empowers communities facing inequities to drive climate and health policy and governmental decision-making

• Utilization of Health Equity Data and Tools​ to inform decisions, and to identify and prioritize State resources and investments to communities facing inequities and climate vulnerabilities
  

What We've Accomplished​