Physicians for Human Rights
Member profile
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) was founded in 1986 on the idea that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to investigate the health consequences of human rights violations and work to stop them. PHR mobilizes health professionals to advance health, dignity, and justice and promotes the right to health for all. It is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it maintains an office in Washington, DC. PHR is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization funded through private foundations and by individual donors. PHR is a 1997 co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. It emphasizes poor and marginalized populations, evidence-based approaches, health system strengthening and a right to health.
Main activities
PHR’s Global Health Action Campaign promotes the “right to health” as the framework governments use to implement health programs to meet their obligations to their people. The campaign addresses global health issues such as: health workforce and systems, HIV/AIDS, women’s health, and harm reduction. PHR emphasizes equity and participation of those who best understand their own needs. It has a strong tradition of mobilizing health workers for research, education and advocacy. There are many groups that focus on gender health inequalities in Africa, but few focus on mobilizing and training health professionals to use their knowledge for policy change. PHR is a respected voice on Capitol Hill, with a strong track record of educating leaders for change.
Links to the health workforce crisis
PHR applies the skills, knowledge and ethical commitments of health professionals to a wide range of issues. Over the last seven years, PHR's Health Action AIDS campaign has:
- Built a network of nearly 8,000 health care professionals and students to influence international policymakers;
- Advanced policies to address the global workforce crisis;
- Partnered with health professionals in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda to expand local advocacy capacity; and
- Raised attention on the need to strengthen health systems.
PHR joined the Alliance in 2008 as an implementing Partner.
