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Founded in 1961, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) soon made its mark by documenting the presence of Strontium-90, a highly radioactive waste product of atmospheric nuclear testing, in children's teeth. This finding led to the Limited Nuclear Test Ban treaty that ended atmospheric nuclear testing.

In 1985, PSR shared in the Nobel Peace Prize awarded that year to the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), for building public pressure to reverse the nuclear arms race. In the 1990s, PSR built on its record of achievement by helping to end nuclear warhead production and winning U.S. passage of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty that still offers the possibility of a world without nuclear tests.

In 1992, PSR expanded its mission to apply its medical expertise to environmental health issues, in recognition of the grave risks to human health posed by global climate change and toxic pollution. That same year, PSR's mobilization of the medical community on environmental health issues led to a collaboration among MIT, the Harvard School of Public Health, Brown University, and PSR's Greater Boston chapter that resulted in Critical Condition, Dr. Eric Chivian's definitive volume on human health and the environment.

In 2006, PSR launched an Energy Security Initiative focused on environmental health and security issues and their impact on public health. They produced and held briefings on their report, "Powering Foreign Policy: The Role of Oil and Diplomacy in Conflict", that brought together a diverse array of public policy organizations, congressional policymakers, embassy staff, security experts, and the media; and mobilized thousands of PSR activists to send a letter to President Bush for inadequately funding research and development of renewable energy technologies and for failing to implement the most effective tools for decreasing U.S. oil consumption, and increasing conservation and energy efficiency.