Climate Health Emergency Act of 2025

This bill would require the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) to declare a public health emergency because of health risks linked to climate change. Lawmakers say many recent health emergencies were tied to extreme weather and disease spread, and that the nation needs to act faster and coordinate better to protect communities. The bill’s findings call climate change a major health threat and urge using federal resources, data sharing, emergency powers, and cross-agency coordination to build a stronger, more resilient public health system.

Key points

• What changes: HHS must declare a public health emergency connected to climate-related health risks under existing emergency authority.
• Why: The bill cites that over the past decade, more than half of HHS emergency declarations were linked to extreme weather and disease spread worsened by climate change, and says the U.S. is not prepared enough for these crises.
• Who is affected: Communities nationwide, especially vulnerable people facing extreme heat, storms, smoke, and disease risks; public health agencies that would coordinate and respond.