AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 609
(A-05)
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Introduced by:
Oklahoma Delegation
Subject:
Physicians’ Campaign for a Healthier America
Referred to:
Reference Committee F
(Carol S. Shapiro, MD, Chair)
Whereas, Our American Medical Association’s core purpose is to promote the science and art
of medicine and the betterment of public health; and
Whereas, The AMA’s mission as an active organization is to speak out on issues important to
patients and the nation’s health; and
Whereas, The AMA’s key objective envisions its future as being an essential force for progress
in improving the nation’s health; and
Whereas, The AMA is committed to improving the public health through promoting healthy
lifestyles and eliminating health care disparities; and
Whereas, The AMA promotes healthy lifestyles by continuing to conduct scientific research and
to develop and disseminate to physicians clinical resources related to the prevention and
treatment of public heath issues, such as obesity, alcohol and other drug abuse, tobacco use,
violence, patient and public safety, adolescent health and geriatric health; and
Whereas, The top causes of death in the United States include heart disease, cancer, stroke,
and COPD which are caused, in part, by lifestyle choices; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association work to create “The American Medical
Association Physicians’ Campaign for a Healthier America” that will be designed to:
1. Mobilize its membership as an army to attack lifestyle issues that are creating medical
problems at epidemic proportions for our nation; and
2. Focus on primary and secondary preventive measures; and
3. Be high profile and designed in such a manner as to enhance our AMA and its members,
creating a balance to AMA’s image in the public domain and with Congress in Washington,
DC as being an organization to protect and enhance the health of patients as well as the
economics of medicine for its members; and
4. Create a strong educational component to assist doctors and ancillary staff in implementing
prevention strategies with and promoting prevention messages to their patients as well as
the general public; and
5. Build coalitions with multiple public and private institutions at the national, state and local
levels to address the serious health issues that are destroying the health of Americans (e.g.,
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Department of Health and Human Services, state
medical associations, corporations and the business community, faith community and
church families, specialty medical societies and the American Hospital Association); and
6. Create an aggressive and proactive culture and mentality in attacking these life-threatening
problems. (Directive to Take Action)
Resolution: 609 (A-05)
Page 2
Fiscal Note: Estimated cost of $107,738 includes professional fees, printing and production
costs, promotion and staff time.
Received: 5/11/05
RELEVANT AMA POLICY
H-140.886 Physician Health and Wellness
To preserve the quality of their performance, physicians have a responsibility to maintain their health
and wellness, construed broadly as preventing or treating acute or chronic diseases, including
mental illness, disabilities, and occupational stress. When health or wellness is compromised, so
may the safety and effectiveness of the medical care provided. When failing physical or mental
health reaches the point of interfering with a physician’s ability to engage safely in professional
activities, the physician is said to be impaired. In addition to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits,
every physician should have a personal physician whose objectivity is not compromised (e.g.:
through shared income or referral relationships). Physicians whose health or wellness is
compromised should take measures to mitigate the problem, seek appropriate help as necessary,
and engage in an honest self-assessment of their ability to continue practicing. Those physicians
caring for colleagues should not disclose without the physician-patient’s consent any aspects of their
medical care, except as required by law, by ethical and professional obligation (Opinion E-9.031), or
when essential to protect patients from harm. Under such circumstances, only the minimum amount
of information required by law or to preserve patient safety should be disclosed. The medical
profession has an obligation to ensure that its members are able to provide safe and effective care.
This obligation is discharged by: - promoting health and wellness among physicians; - supporting
peers in identifying physicians in need of help; - intervening promptly when the health or wellness of
a colleague appears to have become compromised, including the offer of encouragement, coverage
or referral to a physician health program; - establishing physician health programs that provide a
supportive environment to maintain and restore health and wellness; - establishing mechanisms to
assure that impaired physicians promptly cease practice; - assisting recovered colleagues when they
resume patient care; - reporting impaired physicians who continue to practice, despite reasonable
offers of assistance, to appropriate bodies as required by law and/or ethical obligations. This may
entail reporting to the licensing authority. (CEJA Rep. 5, I-03)
H-170.984 Healthy Living Behaviors
Our AMA encourages all state medical associations to become involved in the promotion of healthy
living behaviors for children and youth through quality physical and wellness activities, and
encourages all physicians to provide advocacy by working with parents, schools and community
organizations to develop programs and services for the children and youth population. (Res. 129, I89; Reaffirmed: CLRPD Rep. 2, I-99)
See also:
H-285.971 Population Based Practices in Managed Care Systems
H-425.983 The Preservation of Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) in
Current Practice Settings
H-425.984 Clinical Preventive Services
H-425.986 Healthy People 2000 - Challenges in Preventive Medicine
H-425.987 Preventive Medicine Services
H-425.988 The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services
H-425.991 Support for Preventive Medicine Residencies
H-425.994 Medical Evaluations of Healthy Persons
H-425.997 Preventive Services
D-425.996 Implementing the Guidelines to Community Preventive Services
D-425.998 Priorities in Clinical Prevention Services