PHILADELPHIA - March 24 - "Global Health & Security in the 2nd Nuclear Age," a public conference organized by Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility for concerned citizens and health professionals on new nuclear and terrorism dangers since 9-11. It examines public health, psychological, social and political ramifications of the US war on terrorism and our escalating defense economy, especially how they affect ordinary Americans and what we can do to affect them. It marks the 25th anniversary of a 1979 Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) conference in Philadelphia which for the first time focused professionals on nuclear policy issues, helped define nuclear threats and preparedness as public health issues and helped set the stage for in the national nuclear freeze movement. The current conference takes place as policy experts are revising upwards their assessments of nuclear and terrorism dangers, and as a resolution in favor of the PSR "SMART (Sensible, Multilateral American Response toTerrorism) Security" platform for improving public health and safety post 9-11 is introduced into Congress. Co-sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.

WHO? The conference features distinguished experts, security analysts and health professionals. They include, among many others:

• Sandra Bloom, MD, psychiatrist, post-traumatic stress syndrome expertand author of Living in a World of Terrorism & Violence;
• Joe Cirincione, director for Non-Proliferation at the Carnegie Endowmentfor International Peace, author of Non-proliferation and the Future of Arms Control and Deadly Arsenals: Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction, former Congressional staff member on the Armed Services and Government Operations Committees, former staff director of the Military Reform Caucus under Congressmen Tom Ridge and Charles Bennett;
• Jonathan Schell, Harold Willens Peace Fellow at The Nation Institute,author of numerous books including The Argument for Abolition and The Fate of the Earth
• Invited members of Congress who co-sponsored the recent SMART Security resolution

WHEN? Saturday, April 3, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

WHERE? Meyerson Hall, Fine Arts Bldg, 210 South 34th Street, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

For the full conference agenda, see www.psrphila.org .

For more information on SMART Security and the recent Congressional resolution recommending it, see: www.psr.org/documents/psr_doc_0/program_4/SMARTSecurityBrochure_Final_10_6.pdf

www.woolsey.house.gov/newsarticle.asp?RecordID=278

www.psr.org/documents/psr_doc_0/program_4/SMART_resolution_PR_03_18_2004.pdf

###