Fall 2014 Prescription for Action A newsletter from Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles

A Message from the Executive Director

By Martha Dina Arguello | Executive Director Second, our staff has been work- ing tirelessly up in Sacramento I am excited to announce the return of our newsletter, “Prescription to protect your health and create for Action.” Over the course of the last year, the team here at PSR- health-promoting environments. LA has been hard at work, and we have exciting updates to share. PSR-LA spent the last year champi- First, let’s start with this newsletter, put together by our new Mem- oning prevention-based legislation bership and Communications Coordinator, Shazia Manji (check out that addresses the root causes of her staff profile, pg 8). In addition to overseeing our electronic and environmental health harms, and printed communications, Shazia will be working to grow our mem- is now celebrating many successes. bership and help train, engage, and mobilize our health professional Through our Air and Health Program we helped prevent the pas- members. Look forward to an improved website with a new look, sage of SB 4’s “doctor-gag rule.” This provision, lobbied for by the oil but more importantly with a special membership section, educa- and gas industry, would have barred physicians from disclosing to tional resources, and new ways to impact critical environmental their patients the identities of harmful chemicals used in fracking health policy. operations that are also causing patient illnesses. Continued On Page 3 a look inside this issue... pg 2 Building Healthy Communities in the Wake of Climate Change pg 8 Nov 8 - The Health Professional Role in Creating a Nuclear Weapons-Free World pg 4 In Memory of Richard Saxon, MD pg 8 Welcoming New Staff Member, Shazia Manji pg 5 Program Update: Regional Air Quality pg 9 Member Profile: Dr. Quinton James pg 6 Environmental Health Challenges Facing South Los Angeles pg 11 Introducing PSR-LA’s Health Ambassador Program Building Healthy Communities in the Wake of Climate Change PSR-LA promotes equitable climate adaptation at California Climate Resiliancy Conference

By Monika Shankar | Health & Environment Associate

Nearly 700 people died from heat exposure in the United States in 2013. In July 2006, California experienced unrelent- ing heat for several days, which led to the death of an estimat- ed 333 people. According to the United Nation’s Intergovern- mental Panel on Climate Change, heat waves will kill about ten times more people in the Eastern U.S. in 45 years than they did at the turn of the century. And if these findings aren’t sobering enough, there are a plethora of additional impacts to consider as climate change unravels into the future, such as vector-borne disease, severe drought, uncontrollable wildfires, and sea-level rise.

This was the topic of conversation at August’s California Adaptation Forum – the first ever California-focused confer- ence that brought together adaptation leaders across the state From “Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events.” CDC, 2013 to address the most pressing climate change issues facing our local communities, thanks in part to the work of academic regions. PSR-LA was invited to participate in a panel on how institutions such as the UCLA Institute of the Environment to advance health equity in climate adaptation, specifically in and Sustainability. Their research shows that Los Angeles will the Los Angeles region. be warmer by mid-century, with average annual temperatures We know that climate change has the power to vastly change rising 4-5 degrees Fahrenheit. When citing specific case studies, our environmental landscape (think Hurricane Katrina, Hurri- the facts are jarring. For example, the average annual days ex- cane Sandy) and impact our economic development. But there ceeding 96 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-century in Porter Ranch also exists a strong link between the unpredictable impacts will rise from 55 to 100. In Sylmar, they will increase from 54 of climate change and the health of our communities. For to 96 days. The region will also continue to experience severe example, rising temperatures can aggravate already poor air droughts and increased instances of wildfires due to drier con- quality, primarily by increasing ground ozone pollution and ditions. All of these factors will contribute to the already poor other toxic air pollutants in heavily populated urban areas. air quality that exists in Southern California. Pollutants such as particulate matter 2.5 has been known to Over recent years it has become more and more apparent that increase asthma attacks, lower birth weight, slow child lung low income communities and communities of color will be growth, and cause premature death. Heave waves can cause hit first and worst by climate change, making it necessary to heat cramps and exhaustion, heat stroke, and worsen pre-ex- address climate change as an issue of environmental justice. isting cardiovascular disease. For example, mothers of color are already disproportionately Here in L.A., we have made significant strides in better exposed to toxic air pollution. As the weather heats up, air understanding the impacts that climate change will have on Continued On Page 3 2 Message from the Executive Director Continued policies. When the Health Chapter was approved on August 14th, it included issues such as mental health and poverty, living wages In July, Governor Brown signed into law SB 1167, a bill co-spon- and economic justice, the rehabilitation of existing housing stock, sored by PSR-LA that promotes the use of Integrated Pest Man- and displacement as a health issue. agement in housing developments. Rather than simply treating infestations when they occur, SB 1167 requires building owners to And of course, PSR-LA remains committed to the cause upon address the underlying conditions causing the infestation, prevent- which we were founded – protecting public health from nuclear ing future occurrences and reducing use of toxic pesticides in the threats. Locally, this has meant continuing our decades-long effort home. to ensure full cleanup of the nuclear and chemical contamination at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Furthermore, we are also And most recently, PSR-LA has been focusing on strengthening participating in the Humanitarian Impacts of Nuclear Weapons California’s approach to climate change by advocating for the campaign, a movement with international support for a treaty regulation of short-lived climate pollutants. These pollutants – that would ban all nuclear weapons, in the same way that other such as methane and black carbon – have real and immediate discriminate tools of warfare are banned. impacts on the health of Californians, while also contributing to global warming. This September, Governor Brown approved SB Our efforts to protect your health would not be complete without 605, legislation requiring California’s Air Resources Board to de- the active participation of our members. The unique and credible velop targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and short-lived voices of health professionals are key to driving policymakers climate pollutants beyond 2020. and the public toward solutions that protect all communities. By engaging your voice in the planning of our cities, the cooling of PSR-LA has taken a similar approach to promoting health in our planet, and the clearing of our air, we infuse health and equity our physical environment. In February, the LA City Planning into state and local policy-making and planning. In the months Department introduced a chapter of the General Plan devoted ahead, PSR-LA will be making a big push to recruit, support, and to addressing health. While this was the first health chapter of train the health professionals that make up our member base. By its kind in the U.S., the initial draft did not fully address health investing in you, we are investing in the health of all Californians. realities in our communities. As part of the Community Adviso- ry Board, Monika Shankar, the head of our Built Environment Thank you for your time and support of Physicians for Social Program, spent seven months advocating for more comprehensive Responsibility – Los Angeles. We couldn’t do it without you.

Building Healthy Communities Continued tion first. By organizing at the state, regional, and local levels, we quality will worsen, exposing these mothers to increasing health have seen how state-level decisions impact local outcomes. That’s detrimental circumstances. Our panel at the Climate Adaptation why we work both vertically and horizontally in the policy advo- Forum discussed how vulnerable populations are often left out of cacy space. From our work with the AB 32 Environmental Justice the climate mitigation and adaptation debate, and how their voic- Advisory Committee to our work promoting healthy land use at es are not always considered when crafting policies and programs. the local level (such as pollution-free and walkable communities), Equally as important as framing this reality is proposing poten- our goal is to identify and implement policies that deliver multiple tial solutions. That’s why we need to unite the powerful voice of benefits and address the root causes of health and social inequity. impacted communities with the credible voices of physicians and Our climate work is currently focused on the recently appropriat- other health professionals. To identify and implement effective ed dollars in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which houses policy and systems change, health professionals have an import- monies collected from the state’s cap and trade auctions. Per state ant role to play in the climate change debate. The physician-based law, these funds must be partially invested in the most polluted message of prevention and protection resonates with both deci- communities. California’s Air Resources Board is in the process of sion makers and the public. collecting input on how to define disadvantaged communities and PSR-LA is working hard to build climate resiliency in Los Angeles the process for disbursing the funds. PSR-LA is actively engaged communities. We understand the importance of putting the needs in making sure these guidelines truly benefit the most impacted of communities most burdened by the impacts of climate disrup- communities, and truly builds resiliency into our neighborhoods.

3 In Memory of Richard Saxon, MD PSR-LA Says Goodbye to Friend and Co-Founder Dr. Richard Saxon

By Denise Duffield | Associate Director encourage doctors to form groups in change – hopefully. Even though I PSR-LA is saddened by the loss of Dr. their own countries and help build a was trained as an orthopedic surgeon, Richard Saxon, who passed away on larger movement for nuclear aboli- I got the greatest pleasure and sense August 1, 2014 at the age of 90. Rich- tion. The Saxons’s efforts contributed of accomplishment from doing work ard and his wife Pauline co-founded to the work for which PSR’s parent with PSR.” organization, International Physicians our chapter of Physicians for Social PSR-LA members responded to news for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Responsibility in 1980, after attending of Richard’s passing with fond col- was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in a conference about the medical con- lections of their time together. Dr. Bill 1985. They also led PSR-LA’s efforts to sequences of nuclear weapons in San Perkins said, “Richard was such a clean up the radiological and chemical Francisco. The Saxons began to build thoughtful, knowledgeable, scientific, contamination at the Santa Susana PSR-LA from their home, writing artistic, considerate, and humorous Field Laboratory. individual letters to all the physicians man! He and Pauline, his wife, led they knew. Richard served as the first Richard attended medical school at the our little PSR group in Los Angeles Board President, and Pauline the first University of Illinois in Chicago, after at a most exciting time when a strong Executive Direc- which he served in American peace movement pushed “Richard was such a tor. Since then, the army, and then back at President Ronald Reagan’s our organization thoughtful, knowledgeable, completed his res- militant challenge to the Soviet has grown to be- scientific, artistic, idency in Virginia. Union… We will certainly miss Rich- come the largest considerate and humorous Richard and Pauline ard and his leadership.” PSR chapter, and moved back to Los Jeanne Londe, Sol’s widow and long- a leader in local, man! We will certainly Angeles in 1953, time PSR member, remarked with love state, and nation- where he began his miss Richard and and humor, “I think Sol is pointing his al policy. practice as an ortho- his leadership.” arthritic finger at Richard and saying, pedic surgeon. He The Saxons led ‘we need to tell everybody to tell the volunteered at the PSR-LA through the harrowing years president to take his hand off the hair Venice Family Clinic, and was an avid of the Cold War, helping to establish trigger alert!’” our chapter as strong and innovative. tennis player and painter. In 2005, PSR-LA Board Member Dr. Felix Agui- Under their leadership, PSR-LA held PSR-LA honored Richard and Pauline lar said, “He was a hero.” a conference on the medical conse- with the Sol Londe Award, named quences of nuclear weapons attended after for longtime PSR-LA doctor and All of us at PSR-LA are deeply grateful by over 3,000 people. Richard and prolific peace activist. Reflecting upon to Richard for his incredible devotion Pauline also led physician delegations his work, Richard said, “It gave me to a safer, healthier world, an ideal to the Soviet Union, Germany, En- great satisfaction to step out and do upon which he built our organization, gland, China, and Japan, helping to something that was making a social and to which we remain dedicated. 4 Program Update: Regional Air Quality What Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles is doing to combat poor air quality in the South Coast Air Basin

By Angela Johnson Meszaros | General Counsel

We’re Number Two! That is our battle cry. Until recently we were Number 1… at having the worst air quality in the nation. Though California’s Central Valley has claimed the Number 1 spot, more people still die or are sick in the South Coast Air Basin because of poor air quality than anywhere else in the country (so we’re still Number 1 in some ways). The extent of the health crisis caused by poor air quality is profound. A 2008 analysis attributed thousands of emergency room visits and hospital admissions for respiratory and cardi- ac problems – as well as thousands of non-fatal heart attacks – to our failure (in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes all of Orange County and the urban areas of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties) to meet the Federal health-based air quality standards. The U.S. Environmental In partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Protection Agency has set health-based standards for com- Council, California Communities Against Toxics, Com- mon wide-spread pollutants: ozone (also known as “smog”); 2 munities for a Better Environment, and EarthJustice, we particulate matter; carbon monoxide; nitrogen oxides; sulfur have filed several federal court cases designed to push federal dioxides; and lead. Carbon monoxide is the only pollutant we and regional governments to clean up the air (Angela, our are not mandated to reduce (meaning we are in “attainment” General Counsel, will be arguing one of these cases before the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on October 22!). for that pollutant). In fact, we – and the Central Valley – are the last two places in the country in extreme non-attainment Doctors Felix Aguilar and Jose Quiroga have played critical for the 1-hour ozone standards set in 1979! roles in these cases by presenting written statements to the PSR-LA is working on several fronts to address the air quality Court about the health impacts of poor air quality that they health-threat by moving upstream and focusing on the policy have experienced personally, as well as the health impacts choices that slow the cleaning of our air. experienced by their patients.

By working with communities in South Los Angeles and In our most recent effort, with allies including EarthJus- near the Inglewood Oil Field, we are taking action to tice and the Sierra Club, we are building a movement to 1prevent dangerous oil extraction practices that harm the 3 adopt significant air pollution control strategies for the health of nearby residents during extraction, and that harm region as part of the next “Air Quality Management Plan.” all of us when the oil is refined and used. The routine and Federal law requires that the South Coast Air Quality Man- accidental releases of both naturally-occurring and added air agement District update this plan every three years to outline toxics can impact the health of communities. In a recent report how we can meet the federal health-based air standards. The co-produced by PSR-LA, we found that approximately 45 last plan failed to identify methods to achieve the air quality million pounds of known air toxics were added to oil wells in improvements needed to meet them. This effort will highlight the past year; more than half of those were within 1,500 feet the link between poor health and poor air quality, and push of a home, school, or hospital. Currently, oil operators are not for the adoption of a set of policies that will enhance health. required to monitor toxic emissions resulting from those wells. The leadership of doctors, nurses, and allied health profession- Putting health first, in partnership with impacted communities, als is central within each of these efforts. The health benefits of we are seeking an end to unsafe extraction activities. PSR-LA success in these efforts is huge; failing to address the quality of member Dr. James Dahlgren has been supporting community our outdoor air pollution now means significant challenges to efforts to understand the health impacts of living near oil ex- our health both now and in the future. traction sites and has been a leading public voice on the harms – both immediate and long term – of exposing people to the chemical inputs and pollution outputs of oil extraction. 5 Environmental Health Challenges Facing South Los Angeles most polluted. South LA is among those Monika Shankar communities with census tracts in the Health & Environment Associate top 10% most polluted. On a particularly warm Saturday in the What does this mean for the people who middle of August, South LA Assembly live here? It means wondering if the oil Member Reginald Jones-Sawyer ad- pump jack down the street is causing dressed the staff and members of several our frequent bloody noses. It means South LA organizations at a community that our supposed safest and healthiest the California Endowment that aims to conference held in West Adams. Scan- places – our homes – are often too close better understand the link between the ning the crowd of residents and organiz- to polluting freeways. It means that our environment and health, while simul- ers, he said “this is the first time I have older apartment buildings, the only ones taneously working to find solutions to heard from my constituents about en- we can afford, are riddled with mold, longstanding health disparities. Many of vironmental issues.” The Assemblyman pest infestations, and leaky pipes. For the issues being tackled were addressed spoke at the end of a day full of learning the residents of South LA and those who through thoughtful and interactive and networking, where residents partic- attended the conference, it means that workshops at the conference. ipated in workshops designed to high- the places where we live, work, play, South LA residents are increasingly light how South L.A. organizations are learn, and worship do not support our vulnerable to a number of negative working to find solutions to the stag- health. health outcomes due to high levels of gering environmental health challenges PSR-LA and our co-sponsors, Black pollution from traffic emissions (about facing the community. Woman for Wellness, the Los Angeles 9% of its population lives within 500 We often read facts about our communi- Community Action Network, Esperanza feet of a major truck route) and oil ties that seem alarming. But many indi- Community Housing Corporation, and extraction sites in close proximity to viduals live and breathe these facts on a Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, homes, schools, parks, and healthcare daily basis. The California EPA’s pollu- are all deeply rooted in South LA and facilities. PSR-LA and Esperanza were tion screening tool recently revealed that have for decades tackled health issues instrumental in bringing awareness of over 54% of LA County census tracts facing the community. We are all part the health impacts of local oil extraction are in the top 20% most polluted in of South Los Angeles Building Healthy the state, and 56% are in the top 10% Communities, an innovative initiative of Continued On Next Page 6 With partners in South LA, PSR-LA hosts community conference to explore solutions to local pollution burden

Environmental Health Continued oil, and other cancer-causing chemicals. that for women of color, even our hair is Failure to properly clean up the site will politicized. by elevating the stories of local resi- leave residents and workers in harm’s In the afternoon, the conference par- dents experiencing headaches, nausea, way. ticipants gathered in the main hall to nosebleeds, and dizziness. As the science Residents often have little control over address the topic of climate change on oil extraction catches up, we now their built environment. Inside the home, in South LA and how to build resil- have a better understanding of how the there are additional toxics in our clean- ient communities that are prepared to chemicals used in oil well stimulation ing and personal care products such as withstand the extreme weather impacts impact air quality, which in turn causes the pesticides used to manage pests and associated with the heating of the planet. a range of health effects to those liv- the harsh cleaning products used to keep Long-time PSR-LA ally and member, ing nearby. PSR-LA, Esperanza, SAJE, our aging homes clean. The connection Dr. Felix Aguilar, presented the facts and many other organizations are now is not always made between the pol- alongside what heat, droughts and fires advocating for a prohibition of all oil lution outside and the toxic products would mean for individual health. The extraction in Los Angeles. We are also we use in our own homes, which add presentation aligned with PSR-LA’s work working to include prohibition language to our cumulative pollution burden. at the local, regional and state level in in the updated Health Chapter in LA’s A workshop at the conference focused addressing health equity in our climate General Plan, as well as in the South and specifically on the health risks posed by mitigation and adaptation work (for Southeast Los Angeles more information, Community Plans. see climate resiliency In addition to the article on pg 2). health effects of air At the end of the day toxics, South LA at the conference, Pete residents are also White of LACAN dealing with a legacy asked Assemblymem- of soil and ground- ber Jones Sawyer water contamination how organizations due to industrializa- and residents can get tion. When certain involved in find- industries move, the ing solutions to the chemicals they used environmental health remain behind on the challenges facing their land. In some cases, communities. The residential homes are Assemblymember built on top of highly encouraged residents contaminated land. to write letters and These polluted lands come up to Sacramen- are called brownfields, to and speak to their elected officials. He and require comprehensive clean-up chemicals in these products and how stressed the importance of understand- plans in order to remove hazardous we can make our own safer cleaning ing the issues, organizing your commu- contaminants. At the Jordan Downs agents. Similarly, our personal care and nity and making your voices heard. This Housing Projects in Watts, an adjacent hair care products may be impacting the is what our organizations are doing in 21-acre brownfield has been marked reproductive health of men and women. South L.A. to bring about change: we for redevelopment, and community BWW has conducted community-based are educating and mobilizing our mem- advocates such as LACAN and the LA research on the chemicals and practices bers and bringing their voices to decision Human Rights to Housing Collective of black hair care professionals, touch- makers so that we ensure that health are pushing for expanded environmental ing on the potential health impacts of happens in South L.A. testing and a thorough cleanup of the the products used to straighten, tame, site. The land was previously used as a and control our curly and kinky hair. "Original version of this article was steel mill and truck repair facility, and Their work to promote the development published on KCET Departures, August the soil is polluted with lead, arsenic, of safer hair care practices reminds us 2014 (http://www.kcet.org/departures)" 7 Join Us Nov 8th – The Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons Campaign “We physicians who shepherd human life from birth to death have a moral imperative to resist with all our being the drift toward the brink. The threatened inhabitants on this fragile planet must speak out for those yet unborn, for posterity has no lobby with politi- cians.” – Dr. Bernard Lown

PSR-LA is calling on you, our physician This is a critical time for our members and health professional members, to to speak out. PSR-LA was founded upon help us grow and revitalize our efforts the recognition that, as with all major for nuclear disarmament. public health threats, health profession- als have a unique role and responsibility The need could not be greater. Multiple to work to prevent what we cannot cure. conflicts are raging in the Middle East, There is no adequate medical response where extremists recently seized urani- to nuclear wear, so physicians must step um compounds from Mosel University outside of their clinical roles to advocate in Iraq. While the uranium was not for nuclear disarmament. weapons grade, the problem of “loose nukes” in volatile regions is a real and A nuclear weapons-free world IS possi- serious problem. ble. It is up to us to educate, motivate, Join Us! and engage the U.S. public in order to Saturday, Nov 8th 10am - 1pm Mountain tensions between the U.S. show decision-makers that we must ban Moseley-Salvatori Conference and Russia over the Ukraine are cause nuclear weapons. Over 50,000 nuclear Center, 637 Lucas Avenue, Los for great concern. The U.S. and Russia weapons have already been eliminated; Angeles, CA 90017 together possess 98% of the world’s it’s time to take care of the rest. 16,300 nuclear weapons. Deteriorating Dr. Robert Dodge will talk about relations may threaten agreements made If you are a health professional commit- how you can get involved with this by both countries to reduce their arse- ted to a nuclear weapons-free world, we campaign! See Calendar for more nals. Worse yet is the prospect of war urge you to get involved with PSR-LA information and a nuclear exchange. and become part of the solution.

Welcoming New Staff Member, Shazia Manji hazia Manji joined PSR-LA in shapes environmental harm and impacts public health. During SMarch 2014 as the Member- her time there she was active in organizing campaigns related ship and Communications Associ- to food systems, healthcare, and urban land use, while also ate, where she helps organize PSR- contributing art and design skills to events and campaigns. LA’s Health Ambassador Program and support all communication Shazia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from needs, including the production of the University of California, San Diego, with minors in Public PSR-LA mailings, website manage- Service and Studio Art. She has worked as an intern with ment, graphic design, and social several non-profit organizations in San Diego and in the Bay media. Area, including the Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems and Breast Cancer Action. Shazia is particularly inter- Shazia became engaged with social and environmental jus- ested in working to help connect environmental movements to tice organizing while working with the Student Sustainability social justice advocacy. In her short time with PSR-LA, Shazia Collective at UCSD, a commission of her student government has already wowed us with her diverse talents and dedication geared towards fostering an understanding of sustainability to our mission, and we are excited about the many contribu- that emphasizes how political, economic, and social inequality tions we know she will bring to our organization. 8 PSR-LA Member Profile: Dr. Quinton C. James

By Shazia Manji | Membership & Communications Associate Physicians for Social Dr. Quinton C. James has been a member with PSR-LA for more Responsibility - Los Angeles than 14 years, and is a beloved and respected activist within our organi- 617 South Olive Street, Suite 200 zation. Throughout his long history Los Angeles, CA 90014 of involvement with environmental Phone. and children’s mental health issues, 213-689-9170 he has become a leader and valued Fax. 213-689-9199 physician voice for social justice. He Email. [email protected] first became involved with PSR-LA through his work surrounding the unexamined impacts of pesticides on human Visit. www.psr-la.org health and the environment. Deeply concerned about lack of testing surrounding the widely-used chemicals, Dr. James was also active with United Farm Workers Staff in their efforts to improve working conditions, pesticide management, and food Executive Director safety. Later, while employed with the Los Angeles Unified School District, he Martha Dina Arguello was particularly concerned about the negative health impacts of pesticide use near schools on students and staff. Associate Director Dr. James grew up wanting to be a doctor. He graduated from New York Denise Duffield University with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Math. After working as a chemist with DuPont for five years, he attended medical school at the University Health & Environment Associate of Louisville, Kentucky, graduating in 1961. From there he came to California as Monika Shankar an intern and then resident at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. With a fellowship in child psychiatry, Dr. James went on to work for the L.A. County General Counsel Department of Medical Health and as the Director of the South Central Mental Angela Johnson Meszaros Health Center, before starting his own practice. In 1980 he was asked to head Membership & Communications the Children’s Psychiatry Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. After a brief retirement, Dr. James came back to work with the L.A. Shazia Manji Unified School District, where he provided consultations, evaluations, and treat- ment for children in school settings. Board Members Now retired, Dr. James remains involved with children’s mental health issues, Nancy Gibbs, M.D. President and continues to be a valued advocate for environmental health issues in the Jimmy Hara, M.D. Vice President Los Angeles area. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Jose Quiroga, M.D. Treasurer Child Guidance Clinic, and supports other environmental advocacy organiza- tions in addition to PSR-LA. Within his own community, Dr. James has been Neal Baer, M.D. involved in efforts to halt the use of extreme oil extraction methods, such as hy- L. Stephen Coles, M.D., Ph.D. draulic fracturing, which are harmful to the health of nearby residents. Baldwin Robert Dodge, M.D. Hills – where Dr. James and his wife have lived for the past 40 years – is home Margaret Wacker, M.D. to the Inglewood Oil Field, the largest urban oil field in the country with a sur- rounding community of 300,000 people. Whenever possible, Dr. James attends Rishi Manchanda, M.D., M.P.H. community meetings with the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, keeps in touch with Felix Aguilar, M.D., M.P.H. leaders at advocacy organizations, and meets with local legislators and public Richard Saxon, M.D., Emeritus officials to discuss the negative health implications of dirty oil extraction. Sol Londe, M.D., Emeritus Dr. James’s untiring devotion to health and social justice is an inspiration to the Shirley Magidson, Emerita staff here at PSR-LA. We are deeply grateful for his strong voice in support of policies that protect public health. 9 Join PSR-LA Today! tanding alongside physicians, health professionals, and concerned residents from all over Southern California, Physicians for Social Responsibility S– Los Angeles works to protect and improve the health and safety of Angelenos and Californians. Through a mix of physician training, media advocacy, legislative educa- tion, coalition work, and policy development, PSR-LA connects the credible voices of health professionals to the lived experiences of communities impacted by unhealthy environments. Visit us online at www.psr-la.org to become a member.

Planned Giving

Gift planning is a great way to make a lasting contribu- Member Benefits tion to PSR-LA, while reducing your income taxes and transfer taxes, including capital gain, gift and estate. A RESEARCH AND POLICY legacy gift demonstrates your commitment to peace and You’ll receive the latest in credible science-based information on the environmental health, and can be an effective part of your links between health, environment, and policy choices in our e-mail personal finance planning. Science & Policy Updates. Please call Denise Duffield at 213-689-9170 to make your PRESCRIPTION FOR ACTION planned giving arrangement. In our quarterly newsletter, Prescription for Action, you’ll receive legis- lative and programmatic updates, member op-eds, resources, and event Bequests-Name PSR-LA in Your Will | Through your invitations. will or revocable living trust, you can arrange a gift to PSR-LA of a specific amount, a percentage, or all or part LEGISLATIVE ACTION of the residual of your estate. PSR-LA provides issue and skills training for health professionals on how to be effective advocates with policymakers, media, and the gen- Life Income Gifts | Life income gifts include charitable eral public. annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and pooled income HEALTH AMBASSADORS fund gifts. PSR-LA provides issue and skills training for health professionals on Beneficiary Designation | You may also name the PSR- how to be effective advocates with policymakers, media, their peers, and LA as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, insurance policy the general public. or financial account. After your lifetime, the asset will DISCOUNTS TO PROGRAMS AND EVENTS transfer to PS-LA without going through probate and You’ll receive invitations to programs and events with other health your estate will be entitled to a charitable deduction for professionals, thought leaders, advocates, community members and the amount of the gift policy-makers.

Do You Receive PSR-LA Emails? If you are not signed up for our electronic mailings, please send an e-mail to Shazia Manji at [email protected] with the subject heading “Email Sign Up” and give us your name and updated contact info.

10 Amplify your voice with PSR-LA’s Health Ambassador Program s an organization, PSR-LA’s strength lies in its ability to bring your voice to the save these dates Aforefront of health policy debates. Our health professionals are the cornerstone of our advocacy and program work. That’s why we offer the PSR-LA Health Am- February 28th, 2015 bassador Program. For members who would like to make a deeper commitment to Spokesperson Training one of our program areas, we provide ongoing support, resources, and professional development opportunities designed to maximize your ability to be an effective ad- March 28th, 2015 vocate for health and social justice. Health Ambassadors work with other commit- Decision Making and ted health professionals and community advocates, and have regular opportunities Issues Training to engage in direct policy advocacy with legislators, decision makers, and the media. To join or lern more about the PSR-LA Health Ambassador Program, visit us online at www.psr-la.org and click “Become An Ambassador.” become an ambassador in three steps: Visit us online at 1. pick an issue area www.psr-la.org Select the PSR-LA issue area of your choice: Air Pollution, Climate Change, the Built to sign up! Environment, Toxics, or Nuclear Threats. You will be connected with a staff member and introductory materials. 2. attend two trainings Spokesperson Training – Experts will work with you to develop and sharpen the clear and engaging communication skills necessary to influence decision makers, to understand and work well with the media, and to engage the public.

Decision Making and Issues Training – Dig deeper into an issue area to become a more effective advocate for health and prevention. This training will provide the in- formation and resources needed to navigate the decision-making process and policy development. 3. engage We will support your advocacy through ongoing education and by providing regu- lar engagement opportunities. From speaking at hearings to meeting with decision makers, you will use your skills and knowledge to advocate for health protective policies.

11 Calendar of Events

CPEHN’s A Forecast for Equity: Climate Change and Climate Ready Talks: Taking Action to Mitigate Health in California Climate Change and Adapt in Urban Areas Saturday, November 5th 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Friday, November 14th 10:00am - 12:00 pm California Community Foundation, Joan Palevsky Center, 281 UCLA Neuroscience Research Building A (TBC) South Figueroa Street, Suite 100 Hosted by the Embassy of France in the United States and the Already the most populous state in the country, California’s Consulate General of France in Los Angeles, in partnership population continues to grow. As a result, our environment with the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainabil- will increasingly impact the health of vulnerable populations. ity and the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative (LARC) for Join CPEHN for an engaging discussion on the intersection of Climate Action and Sustainability. public health, environmental justice, and climate change. “Physicians as Storytellers for Social Change,” Nov 8th - Join the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear featuring Neal Baer, MD Weapons Campaign Saturday, December 13 2:00pm - 6:00pm Saturday, November 8th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Location TBD Moseley-Salvatori Conference Center, 637 Lucas Avenue, Los Dr. Neal Baer is Project Scientist of the new Global Media Angeles, CA 90017 Center for Social Impact at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Dr. Robert Dodge, PSR-LA Board Member, will speak about Health, and Emmy-nominated Executive Producer of NBC’s ways that physicians can become involved in the Humanitarian “ER”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unite”, and CBS’s “A Impact of Nuclear Weapons Campaign, a growing international Gifted Man” and “Under the Dome.

effort to ban nuclear weapons.

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