American Lung Association

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

The mission of the American Lung Association (ALA) is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. ALA is the oldest voluntary health agency in the United States. The American Lung Association was founded in 1904 as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis. As the number of tuberculosis cases drastically declined, the association widened its interest to include other forms of lung disease and, in 1973, changed its name to the American Lung Association. ALA is dedicated to the prevention, cure, and control of all types of lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. This is accomplished through community service, public health education, advocacy, and research.

Indoor and outdoor air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer. The American Lung Association provides information and public education on the health hazards of indoor and outdoor air pollution. ALA has developed Open Airways for Schools, a comprehensive asthma management program designed to empower elementary children to better manage their asthma with the assistance of parents, teachers, school nurses, and other volunteers. The association also provides tobacco prevention and control programs for schools, community organizations, and the public at large. ALA discourages children from becoming smokers and advocates restrictions on smoking in public places to protect nonsmokers from environmental tobacco smoke.

JOHN GARRISON

(SEE ALSO: American Cancer Society; American Heart Association; Nongovernmental Organizations, United States)