GET OUT  the VOTE

We are swiftly approaching election day, November 5, and want to encourage all of you to support civic engagement during this critical election year.

We at SF Bay PSR recognize that voting is a profound social determinant of health and that those hit first and worst by climate change are also usually disenfranchised by multiple structural barriers. As trusted messengers on health, we can help our patients and colleagues understand the link between their health and civic participation. We can also be more informed voters by asking the candidates on our ballots how they will address the climate crisis as a health crisis that requires bold, equitable action.

Below please find non-partisan info and resources provided by the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and Vot-ER:

Civic Engagement Resources for Health Professionals and Advocates

Register to vote using this handy tool. 

Talk to Your Patients: Use this Vot-ER Tool to help them register to vote!

By providing resources on voting and voter registration to your patients — particularly if you serve communities already burdened by environmental inequities — you can support greater civic engagement in communities at the local, state, and federal levels. To learn more about the environmental health burdens in your community as you consider the health threats your patients face, you can use the EPA’s Environmental Justice mapping tool.

Talk to Your Colleagues and Organizations: Share this Resident & Trainee Voting Guide

Research has shown that eligible physicians and other healthcare professionals are significantly less likely to vote than the general population. Voting significantly impacts our communities’ health by influencing policies affecting our well-being. As healthcare professionals, we recognize that voting is a crucial social determinant of health, enabling us to address the broader factors influencing patient well-being beyond the confines of the exam room. We can lead by example, encouraging voter engagement among our colleagues to foster a healthier society.