273267 Challenges and opportunities in organizing health professionals for peace and justice

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Robert Gould, MD , Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco, CA
     
APHA has a long and distinguished record of developing policies in opposition to nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction in the context of understanding the deleterious public and environmental health impacts of war and militarism. The position paper “The Role of Public Health Practitioners, Academics, and Advocates in Relation to Armed Conflict and War” that was adopted by APHA in 2009 reflected a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary explication of the profound impacts of war, and the attendant responsibility to educate APHA members, policymakers and the public about the anticipated consequences of war, and advocate for alternative resolutions to conflict. This presentation will explore the opportunities and challenges in carrying out such educational and advocacy efforts within the public health and larger community.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the historical role of health professionals in preventing and mitigating the health consequences of war. Analyze the challenges and opportunities in harnessing the role of health professionals in the prevention of armed conflict and war.

Keywords: Public Policy, Public Health Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a physician, the President of the San Francisco Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility, a board member of National Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Chair of the APHA Peace Caucus. I have written and spoken extensively about the health impacts of nuclear weapons, war and militarism.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5203.0: Organizing Health Workers for Peace and Justice Within And Beyond APHA