Physicians for Social Responsibility

Background

Physicians for Social Responsibility is an advocacy organization established in 1961 to oppose the development and testing of nuclear weapons. The organization first published its findings when claiming the presence of radioactive substances within babies’ teeth in St. Louis, Missouri. According to the group’s website, this published study and additional research by the organization would contribute to what eventually resulted in the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. ¹

In the 1970s, PSR began forming local chapters around the United States, the first of which included the Greater Boston PSR, San Francisco Bay Area PSR, and PSR Los Angeles. ¹ As of 2024, there are 23 PSR chapters across 20 states. ^{2 1}

Advocacy

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has advocated for arms control of nuclear weaponry as well as a “freeze” on all construction and testing, with their advocacy claiming to be based around the motto: “prevention in the only cure.” In 1985, both the PSR and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear technology. ¹

PSR claims that United States’ policy on nuclear weaponry, “threatens the lives of its citizens and holds the world hostage” ³ while criticizing its military spending and claims that the theory of nuclear deterrence is “founded on a series of myths that imperil us all.” ³ It group further claimed that nuclear disarmament is a “public health imperative” due to the “devastating health, humanitarian and environmental consequences” that “any use” of nuclear weapons would have. ⁴

In June 2025, Physicians for Social Responsibility participated in organizing or supporting protests branded under the “#NoKings” banner, a national day of demonstrations positioned as a defense of democratic norms against President Donald Trump. These events were part of a larger mobilization involving over 70 Democratic Party affiliates and allied organizations across at least 19 U.S. states and multiple international locations, according to publicly available event listings on Mobilize.us, a Democratic Party-aligned organizing platform. ^{5 6}

Environmentalism

Starting in 1992, the Physicians for Social Responsibility began to focus its advocacy on environmentalist issues including “global climate change, proliferation of toxics, and pollution.” That year, it partnered with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Harvard School of Public Health, Brown University, and PSR’s Greater Boston Chapter to produce a text on the intersection between the environment and human health titled “Critical Condition,” authored primarily by Eric Chivian. ¹ PSR also advocates in favor of what it considers anti-pollution initiatives, while pushing for programs towards decreasing coal use, lowering the level of toxins, and educating on possible “pitfalls” of nuclear power plants. ^{7 8 9}

PSR has advocated that nuclear power is “not a safe alternative to fossil fuels” ⁹ while claiming to have documented negative health effects from nuclear power plants on human health. It further claims that nuclear power “is just as dirty and unsafe” as fossil fuels, while advocating that the usage of both are a “a major contributor to climate change” and that the climate crisis is a “health emergency.”  ⁹

PSR also opposes natural gas drilling, gas stoves, conventional fuels, and air pollutants from industrial plants. ^{10 11 12 13 14}

DEI Advocacy

According to its website, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) advocates for policies that advance “diversity, equity, inclusion, and Justice” (DEIJ). ¹⁵ Starting in 2020, the PSR implemented a “Racial Justice Action Plan” regarding its operations, policies, and internal culture. The PSR is a member of Organizations in Solidarity, a coalition of local and national groups that advocate in favor of combatting, “racism and discrimination” within their framework. ¹⁵

Controversies

In May 2024, Tova F. Fuller, a member of the Physicians for Social Responsibility’s (PSRs) national board of directors and the vice president of its San Francisco chapter, had her medical license revoked for a three-year probationary period by the state of California’s medical board. The decision was made following accusations that Fuller had a “mental of physical illness” impacting her competency and that her “…continued unrestricted practice of medicine will endanger the public health, safety, and welfare.” ¹⁶ Following her suspension, Fuller’s name was briefly removed from the PSA’s list of national board members but restored a day later. As of September 2024, Fuller’s name is still listed on PSA’s San Francisco chapter website. ¹⁶

Financials

According to its 2022 tax filings, Physicians for Social Responsibility reported a total revenue of $1,888,146, total expenses of $1,899,210, and net assets of $809,890. ¹⁷

Funding

In 2017, the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) received $24,500 from California-based foundation Multiplier and a $50,000 grant from Environmental Health Coalition. ^{18 19} Environmental Health Coalition provided grants of a similar amount to PSR similar in 2019, 2022, and 2023 as well. ²⁰

In 2019, the PSR received five grants totaling $30,000 from the Vivian and Paul Olum Charitable Foundation. ²¹

In its 2022 annual report, the PSR listed the following organizations as its top supporters: the  Energy Foundation, the Climate Imperative Foundation, the High Tide Foundation, the Broad Reach Fund, the Park Foundation, the NorthLight Foundation, the Ploughshares Fund, the Janelia Foundation, and the Climate Action Campaign. ²²

In 2021, the Physicians for Social Responsibility received $39,500 from the Sierra Club Foundation. ²³ That same year, it also received grants from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Rockefeller Family Fund. ¹⁶

Leadership

As of 2024, Brian Campbell was the executive director of the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). Prior to joining PSR, Campbell was the executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council. ²⁴