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A Message from Our President 

Across Washington state and throughout the country, we are witnessing an escalation of challenges – to our health, safety, and basic freedoms – that demand immediate action. Climate progress is being attacked just as widespread unmistakable evidence of increasing impacts tells us we must accelerate our energy transition. Longstanding protections for equal rights and health equity are being overturned — and preeminent health institutions and foundational, life-saving research have been critically dismantled. 

At the same time, the administration is launching wars of choice, pushing for obscene levels of increased military spending, and demonstrating unqualified, irrational, and even unstable leadership — all of which have significantly deepened global instability and renewed concerns about nuclear proliferation.

Locally, the impacts of climate change, pollution, and inequity on health are no longer abstract—they are unfolding in real time. From record-breaking heat waves in the Puget Sound region, to wildfire smoke choking communities across both Eastern and Western Washington, to the persistent threat posed by the nuclear weapons — these risks are immediate, measurable, and preventable.

At WPSR, we bring the trusted health professional voice to the decision-makers. With your support and partnership and in a climate of increasing polarization and competing priorities, we are achieving meaningful progress — progress that you can read about in other articles in this issue of Remedy. 

These actions and this progress are not incremental steps—they are structural changes that protect health in our state at scale. They also provide a model for other states, and our country, to follow at such time as they are able to do so. And we’re not stopping there.  We are working to expand our policy impact, deepen our coalition partnerships, and mobilize more health professionals across Washington — but doing so requires sustained, strategic investment, and that’s where you can help, by joining us actively in our advocacy and with your generous  donations to WPSR.

It’s likely that you, like many others, are profoundly — and appropriately — scared and worried about the future of our democracy. In soliciting donations recently, I’ve been told, more than once, “This year I need to direct my money to protecting democracy.” I applaud that — I, myself, will be contributing to efforts and organizations involved in that critical fight. But I also ask them to please consider doing both — give what you can to protecting our democracy AND donate to WPSR, because it’s also a critical time to continue tackling climate change, addressing bloated military spending and the dangers of nuclear proliferation, and fighting for a more just and equitable future for all. If ever there was a time to part with a chunk of your money to do good, now is that time.

It’s not just for democracy’s sake that I will donate to those efforts, though that in itself would be enough. It’s magnified by the reality that if the current administration gets to keep their power — as they demonstrate over and over — attacks on fighting climate change will continue, pollution will get worse, the nuclear threat will increase, the world will become a less safe place, more people around the world will get sick and die, a charlatan will continue to endanger our health here, and our country will become less just and even more unequal.

So, yes, I’m asking you to give generously to WPSR, to keep driving the progress that we’ve been helping bring about here in our Washington. But I’m also imploring you to use your voices to protect democracy by — in addition to making wisely directed donations — not just voting in elections, but also by volunteering your time and energy to efforts and organizations working in districts and states where it matters — to register people, to get out the vote, and to make sure that in November everyone who deserves to do so gets to exercise their right to vote.

While, as a 501c3 non-profit, WPSR can’t support individual candidates, we can speak out about the issues we care so much about. We, and you, can shout out with our loudest voices that who’s in office, the actions they direct, and the policies they put in place matters. Having the right people in power — and taking it away from those doing wrong — matters. That is the immediate action that’s demanded of us at this moment.

In peace and health,

Ken Lans, MD, MBA
WPSR Board President

WA Cares: WPSR proudly advocated for WA State to establish this first of its kind public long-term care program to help people to access care when they need it, in the comfort of their own homes. On July 1st, 2026, WA Cares benefits were launched! Benefits cover long-term care expenses like home-care supplies, payment for family members helping with care needs, transportation for errands and medical appointments, and so much more. Learn how you can benefit here, and read this recent Op-Ed by WPSR's Dr. Charles Mayer, "WA Cares program is a ray of hope amid a care crisis" (Seattle Times) 

Vote NO on IP26-645: Before we can reap the benefits of the recently-passed Millionaires Tax, ultra-wealthy opponents have paid signature gatherers to spread misinformation in order to get an Initiative to repeal it on the ballot. This initiative also threatens a number of our critical wins for health including the capital gains tax, paid family medical leave, WA Cares, and more (Seattle Times). While this tax will only impact the <1% of Washingtonians making over $1 million a year, it will benefit us all by funding critical services, providing free school meals to kids, and returning money into the pockets of low-income Washingtonians through the Working Families Tax Credit.

Event: Birthing Baby Bonds - Closing the Racial Health & Wealth Gaps through Policy in WA 
July 29th, 2026 @ 5:00 - 6:30 pm PT (Online)

Learn how baby bonds, a wealth-building policy for children born into poverty, can improve health, and reduce health inequity here in Washington. The event will feature national & local speakers, and the release of a brand new WPSR white paper on baby bonds and health.

Learn More About Our Economic Inequity & Health Work

Join WPSR at PNW Climate Week Events: This July, WPSR is hosting three public events during Pacific Northwest Climate Week. First is a screening of the film The Plastic Detoxand expert panel discussionon Tuesday, July 14th at SIFF Film Center. On Thursday, July 16th, Task Force members will be leading a panel entitled “Climate Change and Healthcare: Is the industry meant to heal us hurting us?” at Experience Momentum, and we’ll finish the week with a special Farm to Clinic Tourat Marra Farm P-Patch exploring how sustainable agriculture supports healthier communities. We hope you’ll join us! 

It’s Too Hot to Ignore! Extreme heat is the deadliest climate disaster, and El Niño has returned in 2026 just as communities across Washington prepare for the summer heat. Around the world, rising temperatures brought on by climate change are once again proving deadly, including the “worst recorded heat wave in European history”. The good news is that proven, affordable, energy-efficient cooling solutions save lives, and we’re working to promote these across the state. A recent article in Heatmap News features WPSR's work to promote a Safe and Cool Washington, which also includes an ongoing effort to pass a Renter’s Right to Cooling Ordinance in the City of Spokane, led by our partners at the Gonzaga Climate Institute.  

Yes to BESS: WPSR has joined up with a coalition of advocates who are saying Yes to BESS!Better known as battery energy storage systems, these technologies help to lower energy costs, boost local economies, and help us transition away from harmful fossil fuels. Washington ranks dead last in the US for renewable energy growth over the last 20 years, and BESS efforts can help to address this need. Want to help out? Sign the petition in support of BESS.

Taking Action on Plastics: This month, WPSR officially launched its campaign to take on microplastics. WPSR’smicroplastics hub provides evidence that plastics are found in almost every human tissue and elevate the risk of disease, heart attacks, strokes, and interfere with hormone function and neurological harm in developing children. Plastics are a fossil-fuel derived product, meaning their very production contributes to pollution and health harms. We’re calling on WA’s leaders to take action - sign our petition and read Task Force member Anita Peñuelas’ deep dive on our work in a piece for the Washington Medical Association. 

Learn More About Our Climate & Health Work

Confronting the ICBM Arsenal: A New Initiative : WPSR is pleased to announce the return of former executive director and national PSR Nuclear Weapons Abolition Director Martin Fleck to helm a new initiative focused on the elimination of the ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles(ICBMs). Martin brings decades of experience to this effort to oppose the most unstable leg of the nuclear triad. Former WPSR president Dr. Bruce Amundson is also returning to chair a new ICBM-focused subcommittee of the Nuclear Weapons Abolition Task Force. Learn more

New, Bigger Submarines at Bangor: WPSR and NW Against Nuclear Weapons urged members of the public to demand honest dialogue and robust public engagement on the homeporting of eight new Columbia-class nuclear submarines headed to the Kitsap-Bangor Base in early 2030. These submarines, coming to Puget Sound by 2032, carry between 16-20 Trident D-5 nuclear missiles, one of the deadliest weapons ever invented. Each Trident missile can be armed with up to 8 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), meaning a single submarine can theoretically deploy up to 160 nuclear warheads. The missiles carry W76 (approx. 90 kiloton) and W88 (approx. 475 kiloton) thermonuclear warheads, alongside a small number of low-yield W76-2 warheads. For context, the bomb that destroyed the entire city of Hiroshima was just 15 kilotons. This means that each of the eight submarines carries 20 missiles, each of which contain a payload 6-30 times larger than the Hiroshima bomb, and nowhere in theUS Navy’s Environmental Assessmentis this mentioned. Learn more

Dr. David Hall Emerging Leaders in Nuclear Abolition Program: This August, WPSR will send a delegation of 10 young activists to Hiroshima, Japan for the 81st commemoration of the atomic bombing. The Dr. David Hall Emerging Leaders in Nuclear Weapons Abolition program seeks to continue the legacy of the late WPSR leader through inspiring the next generation of advocates. Learn more

Hiroshima Nagasaki events: On August 6th, WPSR will once again be supporting the From Hiroshima to Hope annual commemoration at Seattle’s Green Lake. Join us in floating lanterns and remembering the lives lost and irreparably harmed by the use of nuclear weapons 81 years ago.  On August 8th and 9th, WPSR and NW Against Nuclear Weapons will be supporting the annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki Weekend of Action at the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action next to the Kitsap-Bangor nuclear weapons base. This year's event will feature keynote speaker Abby Martin, creator of the film Earth’s Greatest Enemy, as well as a display from the historic Hiroshima Peace Museum. Learn more

Tacoma proclamation: On June 9th, Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen expressed his support for Congressional action to reduce nuclear risk after receiving a letter signed by a majority of the Greater Tacoma Peace Laureates requesting action. While it remains difficult to break through to Congress on this issue, local leaders are often more responsive and can play a key role in amplifying our message of nuclear safety.  Learn more

Learn More About Our Nuclear Weapons Abolition Work

Celebrate 65 Years of Health and Peace Advocacy

Join leaders and supporters of PSR National and Washington PSR for a special house party celebrating 65 years of advocacy for health, peace, climate action, and nuclear weapons abolition. Hear from national and state PSR leaders, connect with fellow supporters, and help raise $50,000 to advance our shared mission. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 15, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the home of Dr. Nancy Connolly in Seattle's View Ridge neighborhood. Light snacks, beer, and wine will be served. Space is limited, so please RSVP by July 8.

Annual Health Justice Benefit: Early Bird Tickets on sale July 9!

WPSR’s annual Health Justice Benefit will be held on Saturday, September 19 at South Seattle College. Join us and esteemed author, educator and keynote speaker Dr Stephen Bezruchka for a night of friends, food, fundraising, and furthering the cause of peace, justice, and health in Washington

More Upcoming Events

Thank you for being a part of WPSR's work to advance and protect peace, justice, and health. The times we are in demand that we stand up, speak out, and join together for health and wellbeing, in Washington and beyond. WPSR is a place where all are invited to use their voices to address the gravest threats to health that we face, and your voice is needed.

Please reach out to us if you'd like to learn more about our work, or how you can get more involved. 

Summer 2026