American Lung Association Applauds President Biden’s Actions to Safeguard Lung Health on First Day of Presidency

In response to the Biden Administration’s initial executive actions on first day of his presidency to require masks on federal property; to re-engage in the World Health Organization; to establish a federal COVID-19 Response Coordinator; to direct agencies to reduce methane and vehicle emissions and review the Trump Administration’s environmental rollbacks; to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement; to establish a social cost of carbon that reflects the full impacts of climate change to improve and modernize regulatory review; to repeal the executive order restricting racial equity; and to launch an initiative to advance racial equity, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:  

“The American Lung Association is heartened by the actions taken to protect lung health from COVID-19 and climate change by President Joe Biden on his first day. Strong leadership to safeguard the health of all Americans has never been more important, and the actions taken thus far demonstrate this Administration’s commitment to prioritizing public health and advancing racial equity.

“We ask that the Biden Administration continue to prioritize lung health and equity moving forward, including by working with Congress to deliver additional, necessary COVID relief; ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare; enacting proven policies to protect the public health from tobacco products; investing in our nation’s public health infrastructure; centering health and equity in addressing the climate crisis; and setting strong, science-based limits on dangerous air pollution.”