PSR has a long and rich tradition. In 1961, taking the name Physicians for Social Responsibility, a small group of university-based physicians concluded, "In the aftermath of a nuclear war, no meaningful medical response would be possible. The only cure is prevention." The aggressive and effective thrust to educate the medical community and the general public to take a stand against nuclear weapons, was acknowledged in 1985 when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to PSR as an affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).

The Austin chapter of PSR was formed in 2003 to support the national PSR initiatives at the local Austin level. We also focus on issues specific to our region such as access to public health care, health care policy and local environmental policy issues.