Jill Krueger, J.D., serves as Director of the Network’s Climate and Health Team, which focuses on innovative legal and policy strategies to mitigate the disparate health impacts of climate change, increase community resilience to climate change and natural disasters, and reverse the impacts of inequitable laws and policies. Jill and her team lead work on extreme heat, flooding, climate migration and displacement, air quality, mental health, and community engaged decision making.

Before joining the Network in 2010, Jill was a senior staff attorney at Farmers’ Legal Action Group, where she analyzed the role of the Farm Bill in the production and distribution of healthy foods; advocated for the integrity of the National Organic Program, and provided education and advocacy to improve federal disaster assistance to farmers. She also served as an assistant attorney general in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. She graduated with high distinction and Order of the Coif from the University of Iowa College of Law and from Earlham College. Jill serves on the board of the Seward Community Co-op in Minneapolis, whose mission includes sustaining a healthy community.

Articles & Resources

­Seven Policies that Advance Overdose Prevention and the Health of People Who Use Drugs­

Policy BriefSubstance Use Prevention and Harm ReductionHarm Reduction Legal ProjectMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public Health

August 20, 2025
by Amy Lieberman, April Shaw, Ashleigh Dennis, Emma Kaeser, Jill Krueger, Nina Belforte, Quang H. Dang and Susan Fleurant

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2025, Network attorneys and staff have identified seven policies with the potential to improve overdose prevention and advance the health of people who use drugs across the United States. This policy brief covers a wide range of areas, including well known, evidence-based harm reduction strategies and frameworks, as well as more novel policies that intersect climate change and drug policy. 

View page

The Endangerment Finding Protects Public Health, Now It’s Time to Protect the Endangerment Finding

Law & Policy InsightsEnvironment, Climate and Health

August 20, 2025
by Jill Krueger

The American Public Health Association recently issued a public statement condemning the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal all greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. Public comments on the proposal end on September 2, 2025. All manner of people, from members of Moms Clean Air Force to members of Congress, have signed up to testify during the four days of virtual public hearings, August 19 – 22. 

Read more

­Types of Legal and Policy Tools to Protect Community Health at the Local Level: A Brief Introduction

Fact SheetMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public Health

July 23, 2025
by Jill Krueger

Knowledge of legal and policy tools that may be used to advance public health at the local level can increase the effectiveness of public health practitioners and community advocates in bringing about lasting systems change. This fact describes a number of legal and policy tools commonly used at the local level, together with one or more examples of how they might be used to advance public health and health equity.

View page

­Recent Executive Orders Threaten Climate Change Mitigation Efforts and Public Health Goals­

Fact SheetEnvironment, Climate and HealthExecutive Order Watch: Protecting America’s Health from Harmful Directives

June 27, 2025
by Jill Krueger

The president has issued numerous executive orders since taking office. The lawfulness of the executive orders and executive actions has been challenged in lawsuits across a range of topics, with success in a substantial majority of cases. Nevertheless, implementation of these executive orders, and related executive actions, is already having harmful effects on public health, and could cause irrevocable harm. This resource discusses the potential impact of recent executive orders on climate change and public health goals.

View page

­States Provide Education, Training, Technical Assistance, and Workforce Development on Energy Efficient Heat Pumps

Fact SheetEnvironment, Climate and HealthClimate Change, Health and Equity (CCHE)

June 27, 2025
by Jill Krueger

Heat pumps are more versatile and effective than they were decades ago, and release far fewer harmful substances into the air than standard heating and cooling systems. Yet outdated information based upon previous limitations of heat pumps still influences their use. Even in an environment where federal funding is uncertain, states can take substantial steps forward to protect health by encouraging the use of heat pumps.

View page

Federal Actions and Their Impact on Harm Reduction, Public Health Emergencies, and Climate Change: A Preview of the 2025 Public Health Law Conference

WebinarsSubstance Use Prevention and Harm ReductionEmergency Legal Preparedness and ResponseInjury Prevention and SafetyEnvironment, Climate and Health

May 29, 2025
by Allison N. Winnike, Amy Lieberman and Jill Krueger

Trump administration Executive Orders and dramatic cuts to the public health workforce, programs, and infrastructure, as well as policy changes regarding public health priorities have serious and far-reaching implications.  This webinar previews two sessions from the upcoming 2025 Public Health Law Conference. Presenters will discuss the current legal landscape in three critical areas.

View page

Amid Mounting Threats to Indoor Air Quality, Policies to Expand Access to Modified Box Fans Can Help

Law & Policy InsightsEnvironment, Climate and HealthMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public Health

January 9, 2025
by Jill Krueger

With mounting threats to indoor air quality, many public health practitioners and community leaders are looking for practical and legal strategies to improve indoor ventilation and filtration. In addition to the Model Clean Indoor Air Act, one practical strategy to make a quick and cost-effective improvement in indoor air quality – modifying box fans by adding air filters overcomes the barrier to access posed by the high cost of HEPA filters and commercial air purifiers.

Read more

Law and Policy Pathways: Community Adaptation to Climate Change

PathwaysEnvironment, Climate and HealthClimate Change, Health and Equity (CCHE)Mechanisms for Advancing Health Equity

October 25, 2024
by Emma Kaeser, Jill Krueger, Leah Terry and Nina Belforte

Community adaptation is a process communities utilize to lessen the impacts of climate change locally. Community adaptation policies provide cooling and shade, reduce air and water pollution, mitigate the effects of flooding, and reduce health disparities. Implementing effective community adaptation policies that center health equity involves more than public health departments – it involves housing, energy, transportation, parks and recreation, and other agencies, with community engagement in each step of the process. Community adaptation will continue to be critical to ameliorating the health impacts of climate change and combatting environmental injustices.

View page

Public Health Law Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Human Health Impacts of Climate Change

Law & Policy InsightsEnvironment, Climate and HealthMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMental Health and Well-BeingEmergency Legal Preparedness and Response

July 9, 2024
by Betsy Lawton and Jill Krueger

Public health law plays a critical role in protecting communities from the current and future health threats posed by climate change. Based on their work with communities and public health professionals, the Network’s Climate and Health team has identified 10 public health law strategies to equitably prepare communities for the health impacts of climate change.

Read more

Six Policies That Advance Mental Health

Policy BriefMental Health and Well-BeingMechanisms for Advancing Public HealthMechanisms for Advancing Health Equity

June 3, 2024
by Amy Lieberman, April Shaw, Ashleigh Dennis, Darlene Huang Briggs, Emma Kaeser, Jill Krueger, Joanna S. Suder and Susan Fleurant

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Network attorneys and staff have identified six key policies with the potential to significantly improve mental health outcomes across the United States. This policy brief covers a wide range of areas focused on communities and those who work to support communities. It is designed as a practical resource for public health professionals, leaders, and partners, offering strategies to enhance mental health and well-being while reducing disparities in mental health care.

View page

Investments in Energy Efficient Heat Pumps Likely to Pay Off for Public Health

Law & Policy InsightsEnvironment, Climate and HealthMechanisms for Advancing Health Equity

May 15, 2024
by Jill Krueger

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $20 billion in grant awards to fund the purchase of heat pumps, which provide multiple economic, environmental, and health benefits. This federal initiative holds promising opportunities for advancing public health efforts to address the negative and disparate impacts of climate change.

Read more

Heat Pumps: An Emerging Tool to Support Cleaner Air, More Affordable Energy, and Better Health

WebinarsEnvironment, Climate and Health

May 15, 2024
by Jill Krueger

Public health practitioners, policymakers, and community advocates alike will have an opportunity to learn about the compelling evidence of the economic, environmental, and health benefits of heat pumps. Presenters will describe recent initiatives to rapidly expand adoption of heat pumps, including through innovative laws and policies, as well as opportunities for increased advocacy by public health practitioners and community health, and health equity advocates.

View page