Equitable Pandemic Response (E.O. 13995)

Summary

Establishes a task force to address the unequal impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and other underserved groups by improving data and resource sharing.

What problem does this solve?

The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed communities of color and other underserved groups more than others, but a lack of good data has made it hard to help them. This order creates a task force to gather better data and recommend ways to fairly give out resources like tests and vaccines.

What does this order do?

Establishes the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force

Creates a new task force within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address health inequities related to the pandemic.

Requires recommendations for equitable resource allocation

Directs the Task Force to recommend how to fairly distribute COVID-19 resources, like tests and vaccines, to the hardest-hit communities.

Improves data collection for underserved communities

Tasks the Task Force with developing recommendations to speed up and improve data collection for communities of color and other underserved groups to better track the pandemic's impact.

Mandates agency review of pandemic plans

Requires federal agencies to review their pandemic response plans to ensure resources are allocated fairly and to remove barriers to access for high-risk populations.

Launches vaccine trust outreach campaign

Directs the Secretary of HHS to create an outreach campaign to promote vaccine trust and acceptance in communities of color and other underserved groups.

Strengthens anti-discrimination enforcement

Directs federal agencies to better enforce anti-discrimination laws related to getting COVID-19 care and treatment.

Who does this affect?

Communities of color
Underserved populations
Tribal communities

What is the real world impact?

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Addresses systemic health inequality

Aims to correct long-standing health and social problems that caused COVID-19 to hit some communities harder than others, making the pandemic response more fair.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately as of January 21, 2021, but includes a future end date for its main task force.

Task Force Termination

The Task Force will end within 30 days of completing its goals or after 2 years from the date of the order (January 21, 2023), whichever comes first, unless the President extends it.