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Advocacy Initiatives

Doctors for Global Health (DGH) works with its partner organizations to bear witness for human rights and against human rights violations. One way we accomplish this is by responding when a specific incident, situation, and/or human rights violation comes to our attention that directly affects a DGH partner, member, community or volunteer.

Doctors for Global Health responds in a similar manner when a human rights violation occurs in a country in which DGH partners, and when general human rights issues related to health and the mission of DGH come to light. An announcement containing pertinent information is then sent out via email, is posted on the DGH web site or is included in a DGH mailing. Doctors for Global Health members and friends are encouraged to respond to the "urgent action request" as soon as possible in the manner suggested.

Response actions requested might be in the form of a letter, fax, email or telephone call to appropriate government and/or non-government officials:

  • To denounce the violation(s)
  • To ask for investigation
  • To call for measures to protect the individual(s) and/or community
The Advocacy Committee meets monthly via conference call to conduct on-going business appropriate to its mandate. The committee keeps an archive of all past advocacy activities of DGH.

As much as we would like to do so, it is impossible for Doctors for Global Health to take on all human rights violations and to advocate for all people worldwide who are in need of having their voices amplified. The Advocacy Committee therefore prioritizes its work as follows:

  1. Government or corporate policies that negatively influence or affect the communities in which we work.
  2. Join in solidarity with groups with which we are affiliated and support and encourage the advocacy work of the People's Health Movement to promote the right to health care for all in our own country and abroad.
Any member of the DGH Board, Advisory Council, and Friend or Member of DGH is able to bring an agenda item to the table for consideration by the Advocacy Committee. The Committee will then take the issue through the appropriate steps, generally ending with a recommendation to the board and a board vote. You can contact the Advocacy Committee by e-mail.


Take Action!
Health Care for All Now!
  • Whereas: We spend over $2 trillion for healthcare in the US, yet millions are still not covered or receiving the care they need.
  • Whereas: The healthcare coverage in the United States is ranked #37 in the world by the World Health Organization and yet we spend almost twice as much as any other country, enough to cover everybody with excellent comprehensive healthcare.
  • Whereas: A bill has been proposed in Congress, HR-676, non-profit Medicare for All, that outlines a national health care program that will provide guaranteed affordable health care and prescription drugs to everyone in the country.
  • Whereas: Over 12,000 thousand doctors have signed on in favor of this plan, including two former U.S. Surgeons General.
  • Whereas: Under this proposed plan, we can pay for a comprehensive national health care program with the same money we are now spending and cover every single person in the United States.
  • And Whereas: The bill provides money for retraining those whose jobs as administrators in the insurance industry would be lost as a result of this shift.
  • Be it Resolved That: We call on our members of Congress to pass HR-676, non-profit Medicare for All, so our people and our nation can have the excellent health care system we deserve. Health care is a human right, and we call on our members of Congress to recognize that right.
Sign the petition!

Hand out fliers about how national health care (Medicare for All) is the solution to our health care problems!

DGH Responds
Position Statements written by DGH: Social Justice Speeches/Presentations: Advocacy through the arts:
  • River of Tears, a mini-documentary co-produced by Founding DGH President Lanny Smith.
  • In 2001, DGH sponsored a Photography Contest to address the theme of "Promoting health and human rights with those who have no voice" with the goal of illustrating the need for universal healthcare (see the winners).
  • In 1998, DGH sponsored a Poetry Contest (PDF) to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, as well as to draw attention to the still ardent need to fulfill its promise(see the winners).
Groups/coalitions/networks of which DGH is a member: Letters, campaigns and petitions signed and/or endorsed by DGH:



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