APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, sent a letter to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) supporting the confirmation of Vivek Murthy, MD, to be surgeon general of the United States.
Evans said: “Dr. Murthy is uniquely qualified to serve as surgeon general at this moment in our nation’s history, given both his years of experience leading public health programs and his substantial expertise on the major public health challenges facing our country: COVID-19 and other viral diseases; opioid and other substance use disorders; mental health problems and social isolation; and health disparities.”
APA’s support for Murthy was based on his understanding and support for APA priorities, including strategies to address economic inequality, discrimination, stigma, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and other social determinants of health are among the root causes of disparities we see in communities of color. As these populations continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, Murthy’s efforts to improve access to care and eliminate health disparities will be more important than ever for our nation.
For more information, contact Sophie Friedl.