Transcript Advocacy - Physicians for Social Responsibility

Advocating for Health
Catherine Thomasson, MD
History of Health Advocacy
Medicine is a social science,
and politics nothing but
medicine on a grand scale.
Physicians are the natural
attorneys of the poor, and
social problems fall to a
large extent within their
jurisdiction.
- R. Virchow, Die Medicinische Reform,
1848
Epidemic Typhus
 Epidemics with
famine
 Poor living
conditions
Impacts to Health
 Medical Care 10%
 Environment
 Clean air
 Clean water
 Behavior/Genetics
 exercise, drugs
 Social Determinants




Adequate Food
Socioeconomic status
Freedom from war
Safe housing
What is advocacy?
Drawing a community’s attention to an
important issue, and directing
decision makers toward a solution
Health Professionals as
Natural Advocates
 Objective and trusted
 Compassion with a desire to
improve health
 Lawmakers and the public need
“translators” of complicated,
scientific issues
Motivation
 Intellectual stimulation
 Respect in the community
 Care for the poor-justice value
 Better health care for all
How do you “MAKE”
someone care about Climate
change?
Motivating Others:
Understanding Self-Interest
 Latin: inter-esse to be among
 Self-interest is self among others
 Individual Needs: food, housing, wages, education,
 Social needs: friends, feeling useful, need for respect, pride
 US is a scientific leader and should lead on climate
 Class interest/Social Justice: is self-interest generalized—
low income impacts of electricity costs or downwind
pollution from coal plants
 Generational-concern for children or grandchildren
 Religious beliefs: Environmental stewardship of the earth
and all people.
Organizing is the process of finding out
what people want as individuals and then
helping them find collective ways to get it.
Other ways to be an
Advocate as a Student
 Join PSR/AMSA
 Take action online
• Use social media
- blog posts
- Twitter
- Facebook
- YouTube
 Re-share a PSR Facebook topic
Questions about why we
organize?
Public health impacted by
Climate Change
The Forms of Community
Organizing
Accepts Existing
Power
relationships
Direct
service
Self-help
Challenges
Existing Power
Relationship
Education
Advocacy
Create cooling stations to prevent death during
heat waves.
The Forms of Community
Organizing
Accepts Existing
Power
relationships
Direct
service
Selfhelp
Challenges
Existing Power
Relationship
Education
Solar cooperative; or series of cisterns
Advocacy
The Forms of Community
Organizing
Accepts Existing
Power
relationships
Direct
service
Self-help
Challenges
Existing Power
Relationship
Education
Advocacy
The Forms of Community
Organizing
Accepts Existing
Power
relationships
Direct
service
Self-help
Challenges
Existing Power
Relationship
Education
Advocacy
What is advocacy?
Drawing a community’s attention to an
important issue, and directing
decision makers toward a solution
 Install on-site renewable energy
 Purchase energy efficient products
 Reduce “standby” energy use
 Buy green power
Holy Redeemer Medical
Center Philadelphia has
implemented composting
programs, including one
for fryer grease.
[GGHC Food Services (FS) FS Credit 6 –
Food Donation and Waste Reduction]
Composted food waste
from the hospital is used
as fertilizer at two local
farms. Those farms then
supply the hospital
kitchen with fresh, local
produce.
Questions about
Strategy Chart
Goals
Assets
Constituents
Targets
Tactics
Long-term
$$
Impacted
Provider of
solution
Actions
pressuring
target
Short-term
People
Opponents
Secondary
target
Goals to address Climate
Change
 Result in real improvement in
people’s lives
 Winnable
 Be worthwhile
 Understandable
 Builds for future wins
What goal or issue would you
choose to provide a solution
to address
climate change?
What are your Assets?
 How many people in your group?
 What is your budget?
 How much time do you have?
 Do you have a large group to recruit form?
 You may wish to become part of a larger group.
Constituents: Allies &
Opponents
 Constituent: Who also cares about this issue?
 Dean
 PSR
 AMSA
 Opponents
 Dean
 Competing organizations?
Who is your Target?
 Decision-maker
 Elected official
 Dean?
 Always a person/not an institution.
 If you can’t reach the decisionmaker who can influence them?
What are your Tactics?
 Meeting/Negotiations
 Public hearings
 Writing for change: LTE/Op-Ed
 Media Events
 Educational forum
Other ways to be an
Advocate as a Student
 Join PSR/AMSA
 Take action online
• Use social media
- blog posts
- Twitter
- Facebook
- YouTube
 Re-share a PSR Facebook topic
More advocacy tactics
 Meetings
- with lawmakers in their offices as a constituent
- presentations to community groups, trade groups
- Grand Rounds
- with agency staff (EPA, Housing Authority)
- boards of directors of companies, institutions
• Calls to legislators
• Joining the Green Team at your healthcare facility
• Radio and television interviews
"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed people can
change the world; indeed it’s the only
thing that ever has!”
MARGARET MEADE