American Lung Association

American Lung Association. The American Lung Association is one of the oldest voluntary health organizations in the United States, dedicated to the prevention of lung disease and the promotion of lung health. Founded in the early 20th century to combat tuberculosis, its mission has expanded to address a wide range of respiratory threats including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and the impacts of air pollution and tobacco use. Through a combination of public education, community programs, scientific research, and advocacy, the organization works to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

History

The organization was founded in 1904 as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, a pioneer in sanatorium treatment, and Lawrence F. Flick, among others. Its creation was part of a broader early 20th-century public health movement to combat the devastating tuberculosis epidemic, which was a leading cause of death in the United States. A key early strategy was the popular "Christmas Seal" fundraising campaign, first introduced in the U.S. by Emily Bissell in 1907, which became a national tradition supporting its work. As the threat of tuberculosis receded with the discovery of antibiotics like streptomycin, the organization broadened its focus, changing its name to the National Tuberculosis Association and later, in 1973, adopting its current name to reflect a comprehensive mission against all lung diseases.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. Key activities include providing direct patient support and resources for individuals living with conditions like asthma, lung cancer, and COPD. It operates the nationwide Lung HelpLine, offering free counseling from registered nurses and respiratory therapists. The organization also conducts extensive public health campaigns, such as the "Freedom From Smoking" cessation program, and works to ensure clean air standards are upheld through litigation and policy engagement with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. Community-based initiatives, often run through local chapters, focus on managing childhood asthma and reducing exposure to health hazards like radon and secondhand smoke.

Research and advocacy

A significant portion of its resources is dedicated to funding and promoting scientific research into the causes, treatments, and cures for lung diseases. The organization awards research grants to investigators at institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University, with a notable focus on early-career scientists through its Asthma Clinical Research Centers network. Its advocacy arm lobbies for stronger public health policies at the federal, state, and local levels, campaigning for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a leading voice in efforts to grant the Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco products and to strengthen the Clean Air Act, often submitting testimony to Congress and engaging in legal actions to protect public health regulations.

Campaigns and programs

The organization runs several high-profile national public health campaigns and signature programs. The "State of the Air" report is an annual publication that grades and ranks U.S. cities and counties based on their air quality, using data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The "Freedom From Smoking" program is a widely recognized evidence-based cessation clinic available in communities and online. Other major initiatives include "Lung Force," which unites women in the fight against lung cancer, and "Asthma Basics," an educational program for patients and caregivers. The organization also promotes awareness through events like the "Fight for Air Climb," a fundraising stair climb held in skyscrapers across the country, including landmarks like the Empire State Building.

Organizational structure

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it operates as a nationwide network combining a strong national office with regional chapters and affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The national board of directors, which includes medical experts and community leaders, sets the strategic direction, while local chapters implement programs tailored to regional health needs. The organization is led by a President and Chief Executive Officer, currently Harold Wimmer, and relies on a mix of public donations, corporate partnerships, and government grants for funding. It collaborates extensively with other major health organizations, including the American Thoracic Society, the American Cancer Society, and the World Health Organization, to advance shared public health goals.