**Advocacy Campaigns:**
– PCRM releases annual report ranking healthfulness of hospital food
– Encourages hospitals to replace fast food with healthier options
– Placed billboards promoting chickpeas near Chick-fil-A locations
– Urged Grady Memorial Hospital to go #FastFoodFree
– Resulted in McDonald’s closure at Grady Memorial Hospital
**Dietary Guidelines and Advocacy:**
– PCRM worked to keep cholesterol warnings in guidelines
– Filed lawsuit against dropping limits on dietary cholesterol
– Guidelines recommended minimal dietary cholesterol intake
– Lawsuit against USDA and HHS for promoting unhealthy foods
– Lawsuit dismissed by federal judge in February 2023
– 2015-2020 guidelines recommend limiting saturated fats and cholesterol
– The guidelines emphasize reducing sugar consumption
– Dietary patterns should include a variety of nutrient-dense foods
– Recommendations aim to address public health concerns like obesity
– The guidelines are based on scientific research and expert input
**Animal Rights Advocacy:**
– PCRM urged end to heart failure experiments on dogs
– Review article stated animal-based research not proportional to success
– Actor Lily Tomlin joined PCRM in urging experiment end
– Placed billboards telling story of dog deaths in experiments
– Advocated for humane research practices
– PCRM efforts led to end of live animal use in medical training
– Demonstrated and placed billboards to push for change
– Johns Hopkins University and University of Tennessee ended live animal use
– Maryland bill introduced to end live animal labs
– Success in advocating for humane training methods
**Chemical Testing and Reform:**
– PCRM urged reform of Toxic Substances Control Act
– Supported passage of Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act
– Law requires reduction of animal testing and human-relevant methods
– Advocated for use of non-animal testing methods
– Pushed for safer and more ethical chemical testing practices
**Fast Food Industry and Health Concerns:**
– Fast-food chains like McDonald’s are criticized for high-fat fare
– Health professionals push for healthier options in fast-food establishments
– Concerns about the impact of fast food on public health are raised
– Campaigns target fast-food chains to improve menu offerings
– Public awareness about the health risks associated with fast food is increasing
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a non-profit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. According to Charity Navigator, the organization works for "compassionate and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion."
| Founded | 1985 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Neal D. Barnard |
| Focus | To promote non-animal methods in research and education (opposition to animal testing) and a plant-based diet for disease prevention |
| Location |
|
Members | 150,000 |
Employees | 35 |
| Website | pcrm.org |