Dr. Vivek Murthy is President Obama’s nominee for Surgeon General. Despite having two decades of experience and backing by the leading public health and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups, Dr. Murthy’s nomination is being held up in the Senate over political attacks. Dr. Murthy was voted out of committee on February 27, 2014 and is currently waiting for a floor vote. The Senate needs to act and swiftly confirm Dr. Murthy.
The Surgeon General Serves as the Nation’s Doctor
* The Surgeon General is the nations’ doctor and can use his bully pulpit to raise the profile of health challenges impacting all communities, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
* Dr. Murthy believes the future of public health lies in ensuring that all institutions in our communities recognize and embrace the role they can play in improving health.
* He would modernize the role of Surgeon General and focus on building cross-sector partnerships in communities and making prevention and health promotion the backbone of our communities.
Dr. Murthy is Exceptionally Qualified and Backed by the Health and AA and NHPI Community
* Dr. Murthy has the skills and experience necessary to be a 21st century Surgeon General and has worked as a public health leader, physician, educator, health technology entrepreneur, prevention expert and founder of a national physician organization.
* AA and NHPI communities stand with Dr. Murthy, including the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
* He is supported by mainstream medical and public health groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and over 50 other organizations.
Dr. Murthy will Advance Issues Deeply Impacting AAs and NHPIs
* Obesity: Obesity is one of the most pressing health challenges and yet, AAs and NHPIs are considered not at risk. NHPIs are 3.7 times more likely to be obese than AAs and obesity rates are increasing across the board along with heart disease and diabetes.
* Mental Health Awareness: One in five Asian American male teens have considered suicide and AAPI young women have some of the highest rates of depression. Asian Americans have some of the lowest rates of utilizing mental health services. Better awareness and connection to care can save lives.
* Tobacco: Smoking increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke —the leading causes of death for Asian Americans.
Dr. Murthy Brings Needed Diversity to Our Highest Levels of Government
* AAs and NHPIs have struggled to maintain adequate representation at our highest tiers of government. Dr. Vivek would help change that.
* As the son of immigrants from India, Dr. Vivek epitomizes the American dream.
* Dr. Murthy would be the first Indian American Surgeon General.