Who We Are
PSR-LA is a physician and health professional based membership organization, fighting for policy changes to protect public health from threats related to environmental degradation and toxics, nuclear threats, and human rights injustices.
What We Do
As the physician and health professional voice for public health, we combine our commitment to science, public health, and social justice to create healthier communities.
PSR-LA educates, engages, and mobilizes the diverse communities of Southern California for effective policy advocacy. Together with our local coalition partners, national and international networks, we create policy change because everyone has the right to a safe and healthy world.
Our History
PSR-LA was founded in 1980 as a local affiliate of the national organization, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). In the 1960's, PSR helped end atmospheric nuclear testing by documenting the presence of strontium 90 -- a radioactive by-product of nuclear tests -- in children's deciduous teeth. In the following two decades, our efforts to educate the public about the dangers of nuclear war grew into an international movement, with the founding of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). PSR was the American recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to IPPNW in 1985.
PSR-LA’s early work was guided by a singular mission to reduce threats to public health related to war. In 1989, the Los Angeles office branched-out – the first PSR office to do so – to address environmental health threats. In 1993, PSR-LA added a program to reduce urban violence. Since then, PSR-LA has grown to be the largest chapter in the nation and has played a leading role in national, state, and local education and policy efforts.
Join us. Be a champion for health and peace.
