Nuclear Weapons & Radiation Health Risks & Advocacy Training
11-Week Online Course · Nov 3, 2025 to Feb 2, 2026
Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) is launching a new training program for health professionals interested in learning about the health impacts of nuclear weapons and radiation. This eleven-week online course will bring together leading experts, frontline community voices, and health advocates to explore the medical, environmental, and social consequences of nuclear weapons production, testing, and military use, plus health risks related to nuclear energy. Participants will also develop advocacy and communications skills to bring the health perspective into policy debates, media conversations, and community action.
Radiation exposure from nuclear weapons and related industries poses significant health risks, disproportionately impacting women, children, Indigenous communities, and others facing systemic inequities. For decades, health professionals have been influential advocates for a safer, more secure world free of nuclear weapons. Despite these harms and this history of progress, public health perspectives are often missing from current discussions on nuclear policy at the local, national, and international level.
The training will prepare advocates to fill this role as local community advocates and policy experts, with particular preparation for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) hearings, scheduled in the spring of 2026 across the U.S. nuclear weapons complex. Participants will leave the program ready to contribute informed, credible, and powerful health voices in these critical debates.
The program will take place from November 3rd, 2025 to February 2nd, 2026 on each Monday at 8:00pm Eastern (5:00pm Pacific Time). Classes will not be held on the weeks of December 22nd, 29th, and January 19th.
This program equips health professionals with:
- A comprehensive understanding of radiation, including radioactive pollution, and its health effects.
- Knowledge of the history and current policies shaping nuclear weapons and energy.
- Skills to communicate effectively with policymakers, the media, and the public.
- Connections to communities directly affected by nuclear contamination.
- Opportunities to engage in real-time advocacy, including testimony and public comment on nuclear weapons policy.
This program is specifically intended for:
- Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, and other clinicians
- Medical and public health students
- Public health professionals
- Allied health professionals and researchers
- Community advocates working on radiation and nuclear issues
No prior expertise on radiation or nuclear weapons is required.
Program Structure
- 11 weeks of course content, with guest lecturers each week and suggested readings.
- 90 minute weekly Zoom classes. 60 minutes lecture, 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Recordings will be available for participants who cannot attend live.
- Coming soon: additional details on guest speakers and session topics
Program Fee & Registration
This program is designed for health professionals, though others are welcome to register if they understand the commitments and intentions of the course. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
Registration fees for this eleven-week course (16.5 hours total) are accepted on a sliding scale, and participants are encouraged to contribute at the level they are able. At PSR, we believe that financial barriers should never prevent participation, so scholarships will be granted upon request. To receive a scholarship, please contact nuclear@psr.org with the subject line “Training Scholarship”.
Registration Deadline: October 31
While this course will not offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for health professionals at this time, PSR in some instances may be able to support applications for independent credit where applicable. If you have any questions, please inquire at nuclear@psr.org.
Physicians for Social Responsibility mobilizes physicians and health professionals to advocate for climate solutions and a nuclear-weapons-free world. PSR’s health advocates contribute a health voice to clean energy, environmental health, and nuclear weapons policy at the local, federal and international levels. Guided by the values and expertise of medicine and public health, PSR works to protect human life from the gravest threats to health and survival.
Founding Partner: Special thanks to the Generational Radiation Impact Project for their partnership in planning and leading this program.
This program is made possible thanks to generous support from the following Founding Sponsors: Joseph Berkson, Erica Frank, Robert Gould & Patrice Sutton, Ira Helfand, Christopher Hormel, Andrew Kanter, Maureen McCue & John Rachow, Alfred Meyer, Art Millholland & Lucille Mostello, and Lynn Ringenberg.