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  4. Public Health

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.

    ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT

    Call to Action Highlights Urgent Need for Gun Reform

    ACP and leading medical and public health organizations have urged Congress to implement policies to reduce firearms-related injuries and deaths. 41 organizations joined ACP in calling for improved background checks for firearms purchasers, research into firearms violence, safe storage of firearms, and physician counseling of patients, among other recommendations.

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Latest Advocacy Efforts

    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.

    Search the Policy Library

    Firearms-related Injuries and Death

    Additional Advocacy Efforts

    Immigration

    Additional Advocacy Efforts

    Public Health Infrastructure

    Additional Advocacy Efforts

    Tobacco Use and Vaping

    Additional Advocacy Efforts