S 1067 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 29, 2007

Mr. OBAMA (for himself, Mr. KERRY, Mrs. CLINTON, and Mr. DURBIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Healthy Places Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) BUILT ENVIRONMENT- The term `built environment' means an environment consisting of all buildings, spaces, and products that are created or modified by people, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) homes, schools, workplaces, parks and recreation areas, greenways, business areas, and transportation systems;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) electric transmission lines;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) waste disposal sites; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) land-use planning and policies that impact urban, rural, and suburban communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH- The term `environmental health' means the health and well-being of a population as affected by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation, and some biological agents; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the effects (often indirect) of the broad physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic environment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT- The term `health impact assessment' means any combination of procedures, methods, tools, and means used under section 4 to analyze the actual or potential effects of a policy, program, or project on the health of a population (including the distribution of those effects within the population).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INSTITUTE- The term `Institute' means the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IWG- The term `IWG' means the interagency working group established under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, shall establish an interagency working group to discuss environmental health concerns, particularly concerns disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Membership- The IWG shall be composed of a representative from each Federal agency (as appointed by the head of the agency) that has jurisdiction over, or is affected by, environmental policies and projects, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the Council on Environmental Quality;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Department of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the Department of Commerce;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the Department of Defense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the Department of Education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the Department of Energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the Department of Health and Human Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) the Department of the Interior;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) the Department of Justice;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) the Department of Labor;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) the Department of State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) the Department of Transportation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) the Environmental Protection Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) such other Federal agencies as the Administrator and the Secretary jointly determine to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Duties- The IWG shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) facilitate communication and partnership on environmental health-related projects and policies--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to generate a better understanding of the interactions between policy areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to raise awareness of the relevance of health across policy areas to ensure that the potential positive and negative health consequences of decisions are not overlooked;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) serve as a centralized mechanism to coordinate a national effort--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to discuss and evaluate evidence and knowledge on the relationship between the general environment and the health of the population of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to determine the range of effective, feasible, and comprehensive actions to improve environmental health; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to examine and better address the influence of social and environmental determinants of health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) survey Federal agencies to determine which policies are effective in encouraging, and how best to facilitate outreach without duplicating, efforts relating to environmental health promotion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) establish specific goals within and across Federal agencies for environmental health promotion, including determinations of accountability for reaching those goals;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) develop a strategy for allocating responsibilities and ensuring participation in environmental health promotions, particularly in the case of competing agency priorities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) coordinate plans to communicate research results relating to environmental health to enable reporting and outreach activities to produce more useful and timely information;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) establish an interdisciplinary committee to continue research efforts to further understand the relationship between the built environment and health factors (including air quality, physical activity levels, housing quality, access to primary health care practitioners and health care facilities, injury risk, and availability of nutritional, fresh food) that coordinates the expertise of the public health, urban planning, and transportation communities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) develop an appropriate research agenda for Federal agencies--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to support--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) longitudinal studies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) rapid-response capability to evaluate natural conditions and occurrences; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) extensions of national databases; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to review evaluation and economic data relating to the impact of Federal interventions on the prevention of environmental health concerns;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) initiate environmental health impact demonstration projects to develop integrated place-based models for addressing community quality-of-life issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) provide a description of evidence-based best practices, model programs, effective guidelines, and other strategies for promoting environmental health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) make recommendations to improve Federal efforts relating to environmental health promotion and to ensure Federal efforts are consistent with available standards and evidence and other programs in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) monitor Federal progress in meeting specific environmental health promotion goals;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) assist in ensuring, to the maximum extent practicable, integration of the impact of environmental policies, programs, and activities on the areas under Federal jurisdiction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) assist in the implementation of the recommendations from the reports of the Institute of Medicine entitled `Does the Built Environment Influence Physical Activity? Examining the Evidence' and dated January 11, 2005, and `Rebuilding the Unity of Health and the Environment: A New Vision of Environmental Health for the 21st Century' and dated January 22, 2001, including recommendations for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the expansion of national public health and travel surveys to provide more detailed information about the connection between the built environment and health, including expansion of such surveys as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the American Community survey conducted by the Census Bureau;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the American Time Use Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) the National Longitudinal Cohort Survey of American Children (the National Children's Study) conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) collaboration with national initiatives to learn from natural experiments such as observations from changes in the built environment and the consequent effects on health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) development of a program of research with a defined mission and recommended budget, concentrating on multiyear projects and enhanced data collection;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) development of interdisciplinary education programs--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to train professionals in conducting recommended research; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to prepare practitioners with appropriate skills at the intersection of physical activity, public health, transportation, and urban planning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report that describes the extent to which recommendations from the Institute of Medicine reports described in paragraph (14) were executed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) assist the Director with the development of guidance for the assessment of the potential health effects of land use, housing, and transportation policy and plans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Meetings-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The IWG shall meet at least 3 times each year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ANNUAL CONFERENCE- The Secretary, acting through the Director and in collaboration with the Administrator, shall sponsor an annual conference on environmental health and health disparities to enhance coordination, build partnerships, and share best practices in environmental health data collection, analysis, and reporting.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS.

(a) Definition of Eligible Entity- In this section, the term `eligible entity' means any unit of State or local government the jurisdiction of which includes individuals or populations the health of which are or will be affected by an activity or a proposed activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Secretary, acting through the Director and in collaboration with the Administrator, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) establish a program at the National Center of Environmental Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on advancing the field of health impact assessment, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) collecting and disseminating best practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) administering capacity building grants, in accordance with subsection (d);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) providing technical assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) providing training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) conducting evaluations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) awarding competitive extramural research grants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in accordance with subsection (f), develop guidance to conduct health impact assessments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) establish a grant program to allow eligible entities to conduct health impact assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Guidance- The Director, in collaboration with the IWG, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) develop guidance for the assessment of the potential health effects of land use, housing, and transportation policy and plans, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) background on international efforts to bridge urban planning and public health institutions and disciplines, including a review of health impact assessment best practices internationally;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) evidence-based causal pathways that link urban planning, transportation, and housing policy and objectives to human health objectives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) data resources and quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods to evaluate both the status of health determinants and health effects; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) best practices for inclusive public involvement in planning decision-making;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, promulgate the guidance; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) present the guidance to the public at the annual conference described in section 3(e)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Grant Program- The Secretary, acting through the Director and in collaboration with the Administrator, shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide funding and technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare health impact assessments--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to ensure that appropriate health factors are taken into consideration as early as practicable during any planning, review, or decision-making process; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to evaluate the effect on the health of individuals and populations, and on social and economic development, of decisions made outside of the health sector that result in modifications of a physical or social environment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Applications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in accordance with this subsection, in such time, in such manner, and containing such additional information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INCLUSION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- An application under this subsection shall include an assessment by the eligible entity of the probability that an applicable activity or proposed activity will have at least 1 significant, adverse health effect on an individual or population in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, based on the criteria described in subparagraph (B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CRITERIA- The criteria referred to in subparagraph (A) include, with respect to the applicable activity or proposed activity--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) any substantial adverse effect on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) existing air quality, ground or surface water quality or quantity, or traffic or noise levels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) a significant habitat area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) physical activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) injury;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) mental health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) social capital;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) accessibility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) the character or quality of an important historical, archeological, architectural, or aesthetic resource (including neighborhood character) of the community of the eligible entity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IX) any other natural resource;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) any increase in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) solid waste production; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) problems relating to erosion, flooding, leaching, or drainage;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) any requirement that a large quantity of vegetation or fauna be removed or destroyed;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) any conflict with the plans or goals of the community of the eligible entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) any major change in the quantity or type of energy used by the community of the eligible entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) any hazard presented to human health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) any substantial change in the use, or intensity of use, of land in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, including agricultural, open space, and recreational uses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) the probability that the activity or proposed activity will result in an increase in tourism in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ix) any substantial, adverse aggregate impact on environmental health resulting from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) changes caused by the activity or proposed activity to 2 or more elements of the environment; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) 2 or more related actions carried out under the activity or proposed activity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(x) any other significant change of concern, as determined by the eligible entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION- In making an assessment under subparagraph (A), an eligible entity may take into consideration any reasonable, direct, indirect, or cumulative effect relating to the applicable activity or proposed activity, including the effect of any action that is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) included in the long-range plan relating to the activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) likely to be carried out in coordination with the activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) dependent on the occurrence of the activity or proposed activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) likely to have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged populations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Use of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity shall use assistance received under this section to prepare and submit to the Secretary a health impact assessment in accordance with this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PURPOSES- The purposes of a health impact assessment are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to facilitate the involvement of State and local health officials in community planning and land use decisions to identify any potential health concern relating to an activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to provide for an investigation of any health-related issue addressed in an environmental impact statement or policy appraisal relating to an activity or a proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to describe and compare alternatives (including no-action alternatives) to an activity or a proposed activity to provide clarification with respect to the costs and benefits of the activity or proposed activity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) to contribute to the findings of an environmental impact statement with respect to the terms and conditions of implementing an activity or a proposed activity, as necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REQUIREMENTS- A health impact assessment prepared under this subsection shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) describe the relevance of the applicable activity or proposed activity (including the policy of the activity) with respect to health issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) assess each health impact of the applicable activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) provide recommendations of the eligible entity with respect to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the mitigation of any adverse impact on health of the applicable activity or proposed activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the encouragement of any positive impact of the applicable activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) provide for monitoring of the impacts on health of the applicable activity or proposed activity, as the eligible entity determines to be appropriate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) include a list of each comment received with respect to the health impact assessment under subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) METHODOLOGY- In preparing a health impact assessment under this subsection, an eligible entity--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall follow guidelines developed by the Director, in collaboration with the IWG, that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) are consistent with subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) will be established not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) will be made publicly available at the annual conference described in section 3(e)(2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may establish a balance, as the eligible entity determines to be appropriate, between the use of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) rigorous methods requiring special skills or increased use of resources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) expedient, cost-effective measures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Public Participation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Before preparing and submitting to the Secretary a final health impact assessment, an eligible entity shall request and take into consideration public and agency comments, in accordance with this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENT- Not later than 30 days after the date on which a draft health impact assessment is completed, an eligible entity shall submit the draft health impact assessment to each Federal agency, and each State and local organization, that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) has jurisdiction with respect to the activity or proposed activity to which the health impact assessment applies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) has special knowledge with respect to an environmental or health impact of the activity or proposed activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) is authorized to develop or enforce any environmental standard relating to the activity or proposed activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMENTS REQUESTED-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) REQUEST BY ELIGIBLE ENTITY- An eligible entity may request comments with respect to a health impact assessment from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) affected Indian tribes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) interested or affected individuals or organizations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) any other State or local agency, as the eligible entity determines to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REQUEST BY OTHERS- Any interested or affected agency, organization, or individual may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) request an opportunity to comment on a health impact assessment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) submit to the appropriate eligible entity comments with respect to the health impact assessment by not later than--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) for a Federal, State, or local government agency or organization, the date on which a final health impact assessment is prepared; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) for any other individual or organization, the date described in subclause (I) or another date, as the eligible entity may determine.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RESPONSE TO COMMENTS- A final health impact assessment shall describe the response of the eligible entity to comments received within a 90-day period under this subsection, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of any means by which the eligible entity, as a result of such a comment--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) modified an alternative recommended with respect to the applicable activity or proposed activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) developed and evaluated any alternative not previously considered by the eligible entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) supplemented, improved, or modified an analysis of the eligible entity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) made any factual correction to the health impact assessment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) for any comment with respect to which the eligible entity took no action, an explanation of the reasons why no action was taken and, if appropriate, a description of the circumstances under which the eligible entity would take such an action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Health Impact Assessment Database- The Secretary, acting through the Director and in collaboration with the Administrator, shall establish and maintain a health impact assessment database, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a catalog of health impact assessments received under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) an inventory of tools used by eligible entities to prepare draft and final health impact assessments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) guidance for eligible entities with respect to the selection of appropriate tools described in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acting in collaboration with the Administrator and the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The term `eligible entity' means a State or local community that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) bears a disproportionate burden of exposure to environmental health hazards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) has established a coalition--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) with not less than 1 community-based organization; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) with not less than 1--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) public health entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) health care provider organization; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) academic institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) ensures planned activities and funding streams are coordinated to improve community health; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) submits an application in accordance with subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Director shall establish a grant program under which eligible entities shall receive grants to conduct environmental health improvement activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Application- To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Cooperative Agreements- An eligible entity may use a grant under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to promote environmental health; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to address environmental health disparities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Amount of Cooperative Agreement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall award grants to eligible entities at the 2 different funding levels described in this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LEVEL 1 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity awarded a grant under this paragraph shall use the funds to identify environmental health problems and solutions by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) establishing a planning and prioritizing council in accordance with subparagraph (B); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conducting an environmental health assessment in accordance with subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) PLANNING AND PRIORITIZING COUNCIL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- A prioritizing and planning council established under subparagraph (A)(i) (referred to in this paragraph as a `PPC') shall assist the environmental health assessment process and environmental health promotion activities of the eligible entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) MEMBERSHIP- Membership of a PPC shall consist of representatives from various organizations within public health, planning, development, and environmental services and shall include stakeholders from vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, disabled, and minority ethnic groups that are often not actively involved in democratic or decision-making processes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) DUTIES- A PPC shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) identify key stakeholders and engage and coordinate potential partners in the planning process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) establish a formal advisory group to plan for the establishment of services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) conduct an in-depth review of the nature and extent of the need for an environmental health assessment, including a local epidemiological profile, an evaluation of the service provider capacity of the community, and a profile of any target populations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) define the components of care and form essential programmatic linkages with related providers in the community.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- A PPC shall carry out an environmental health assessment to identify environmental health concerns.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ASSESSMENT PROCESS- The PPC shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) define the goals of the assessment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) generate the environmental health issue list;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) analyze issues with a systems framework;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) develop appropriate community environmental health indicators;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) rank the environmental health issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) set priorities for action;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) develop an action plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) implement the plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IX) evaluate progress and planning for the future.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) EVALUATION- Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this paragraph shall evaluate, report, and disseminate program findings and outcomes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- The Director may provide such technical and other non-financial assistance to eligible entities as the Director determines to be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LEVEL 2 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ELIGIBILITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Director shall award grants under this paragraph to eligible entities that have already--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) established broad-based collaborative partnerships; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) completed environmental assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) NO LEVEL 1 REQUIREMENT- To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an eligible entity is not required to have successfully completed a Level 1 Cooperative Agreement (as described in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- An eligible entity awarded a grant under this paragraph shall use the funds to further activities to carry out environmental health improvement activities, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) addressing community environmental health priorities in accordance with paragraph (2)(C)(ii), including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) air quality;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) water quality;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) solid waste;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) land use;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) food safety;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) injuries; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IX) healthcare services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) building partnerships between planning, public health, and other sectors, to address how the built environment impacts food availability and access and physical activity to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles and reduce obesity and related co-morbidities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) establishing programs to address--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) how environmental and social conditions of work and living choices influence physical activity and dietary intake; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) how those conditions influence the concerns and needs of people who have impaired mobility and use assistance devices, including wheelchairs and lower limb prostheses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) convening intervention programs that examine the role of the social environment in connection with the physical and chemical environment in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) determining access to nutritional food; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) improving physical activity to reduce morbidity and increase quality of life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) such sums as are necessary for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITY RESIDENTS.

(a) Definition of Eligible Institution- In this section, the term `eligible institution' means a public or private nonprofit institution that submits to the Secretary and the Administrator an application for a grant under the grant program authorized under subsection (b)(2) at such time, in such manner, and containing such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary and Administrator may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Research Grant Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DEFINITION OF HEALTH- In this section, the term `health' includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) levels of physical activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) consumption of nutritional foods;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) rates of crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) air, water, and soil quality;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) risk of injury;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) accessibility to healthcare services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) other indicators as determined appropriate by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GRANTS- The Secretary, in collaboration with the Administrator, shall provide grants to eligible institutions to conduct and coordinate research on the built environment and its influence on individual and population-based health.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RESEARCH- The Secretary shall support research that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) investigates and defines the causal links between all aspects of the built environment and the health of residents;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) examines--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the extent of the impact of the built environment (including the various characteristics of the built environment) on the health of residents;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the variance in the health of residents by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) location (such as inner cities, inner suburbs, and outer suburbs); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) population subgroup (such as children, the elderly, the disadvantaged); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the importance of the built environment to the total health of residents, which is the primary variable of interest from a public health perspective;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) is used to develop--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) measures to address health and the connection of health to the built environment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) efforts to link the measures to travel and health databases;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) distinguishes carefully between personal attitudes and choices and external influences on observed behavior to determine how much an observed association between the built environment and the health of residents, versus the lifestyle preferences of the people that choose to live in the neighborhood, reflects the physical characteristics of the neighborhood; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E)(i) identifies or develops effective intervention strategies to promote better health among residents with a focus on behavioral interventions and enhancements of the built environment that promote increased use by residents; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in developing the intervention strategies under clause (i), ensures that the intervention strategies will reach out to high-risk populations, including low-income urban and rural communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) PRIORITY- In providing assistance under the grant program authorized under paragraph (2), the Secretary and the Administrator shall give priority to research that incorporates--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) interdisciplinary approaches; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the expertise of the public health, physical activity, urban planning, and transportation research communities in the United States and abroad.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink