Public Health

Background

Public health is the practice of preventing diseases and promoting good health within groups of people. It concentrates on the well-being of the population rather than care of the individual patient, and works to protect and improve the health of communities through education, policy development, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research.

Where We Stand

The American College of Physician’s mission includes advocating for responsible positions on public policy relating to health care for the good of our patients and the public. We take evidence-based positions on a range of public health issues, from climate change to prescription drug pricing to smoking cessation to reducing firearms-related injuries and deaths to substance-use disorder to immigration.

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ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT

Modernizing the Public Health Infrastructure

In this policy paper, ACP calls for improvements to the United States’ public health infrastructure to help it achieve its mission of preventing illness and promoting health.

Climate Change

Human health is already being affected by climate change and its impact is expected to worsen. The American College of Physicians believes that physicians and the broader health care community throughout the world should engage in environmentally sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions; support efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change; and educate others about the health risks posed by climate change.

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Firearms-related Injuries and Death

The American College of Physicians believes that injuries and deaths due to firearms are a public health issue. ACP calls for common-sense legislation that will help to keep patients safe by keeping guns from people who pose a threat, banning the sale of assault weapons and bump stocks, and requiring that firearms and ammunition be stored safely and securely.

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Increasing Health Care Equity

The American College of Physicians is committed to advocating for policies that attempt to mitigate inequities within our health care system and better provide for the unique health care needs and challenges of diverse populations. This includes advocating against racial and ethnic disparities; for women’s health; for LGBTQ persons; and to address the social determinants of health.

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Racial Health Disparities, Prejudice and Violence

Immigration

The American College of Physicians recognizes our country’s interest in ensuring that everyone residing within our borders has access to adequate health care. ACP believes immigrants’ access to health care should be addressed as a national issue rather than through a patchwork of state laws. This policy would need to balance legitimate needs and concerns to control our borders, while recognizing that society has a public health interest in ensuring that all resident persons have access to care.

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Public Health Infrastructure

A strong public health infrastructure provides the capacity to prepare for and respond to both acute (emergency) and chronic (ongoing) threats to the nation’s health. The American College of Physicians believes it is imperative that we as a nation invest and maintain a strong public health infrastructure in order to ensure that appropriate health care services are able to meet the population’s health care needs.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Related Advocacy

Substance Use Disorder

The American College of Physicians supports appropriate and effective efforts to reduce all substance abuse. ACP recognizes substance abuse as a chronic medical condition, and we believe that there needs to be a greater emphasis on prevention, education, aftercare and treatment. As physicians dealing with the health effects of this condition, we also support medical research on addiction, its causes and treatment.

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Tobacco Use and Vaping

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. The American College of Physicians supports policies that help those who smoke to quit and help prevent people from starting. This includes encouraging increasing regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems; and calling for a ban of all tobacco and nicotine flavorings, including menthol.

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Search the ACP Policy Library

To access everything ACP has said related to access to care issues search all policy statements, copies of testimony, and letters to government and non-government officials.

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Climate Change

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Firearms-related Injuries and Death

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Increasing Health Care Equity

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Immigration

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Public Health Infrastructure

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Substance Use Disorder

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Tobacco Use and Vaping

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