Organizations of Physician Activists
Activist Organizations (International)
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War: Founded in 1980 by Drs. Bernard Lown (US) and Evgueni Chazov (Soviet Union), IPPNW was the winner of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize.
Médecins Sans Frontièrs (Doctors Without Borders ). In the United States, contact MSF at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
Activist Organizations (USA)
Doctors for Global Health “Since its inception, DGH has accompanied communities in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda and the United States. We are improving the health and well-being of these communities by increasing access to quality health care; developing educational opportunities and avenues for artistic expression; and raising awareness of health and other human rights.”
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, based in Virginia seeks to develop and support clinicians who work with underserved populations in the US. Membership in ACU has the benefit of a subscription to the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. ACU produces a newsletter called Clinician and Community and a useful series of clinician toolcards, as well as offering varied programming to support clinicians on transdisciplinary care teams.
Physicians for Human Rights: PHR has been particularly vocal in its campaign against torture about abuses that have occurred in US facilities. Their website contains much useful information including an advocacy toolkit.
Physicians for Social Responsibility focuses on a variety of social justice issues and particularly those related to nuclear weapons and the environment.
Public Citizen’s Health Research Group engages in a wide variety of research-based advocacy measures. They are known as the publishers of Worst Pills, Best Pills but they also publish a Health Letter, do lobbying on a variety of issues and have promoted courses in health activism.
Activist Organizations (non-US)
Doctors Reform Society of Australia. “The DRS is an organization of doctors and medical students supporting health care reforms to ensure justice, equity and quality care for all regardless of social or economic status.”
Organizations that focus on single issues:
Physicians for a National Health Program is active in the promotion of a national “single payer” plan in the US. The PNHP website is particularly good for its wealth of information and resources for activism. See our post.
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