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American Lung Association

1725 K St. NW, Ste. 1209
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 466-5864
Toll Free: 1-800-LUNGUSA
Fax: (202) 682-5874
URL: http://www.lungusa.org
 

Mission Statement

 
The mission of the American Lung Association (ALA) is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health by helping those who are already affected by disease, by searching for cures and better treatments, and by protecting all our lungs from the threat of environmental hazards.
  • Geographic focus: national
  • Membership: close to 1 million volunteers
  • Other organizational activities (not directed specifically toward children): advocacy

    • Children's Environmental Health Activities

    		 
    Asthma: ALA created and distributes an asthma education curriculum called Open Airways for Schools. The program became available nationwide in 1992 and is now used in thousands of classrooms. ALA also plays a leading role in developing the National Asthma Education Program, which aims to increase awareness and understanding of asthma nationwide. ALA sponsors hundreds of asthma education programs for adults, families and children, including nearly 100 asthma camps. ALA promotes asthma research through the Asthma Research Initiative (ARI), an aggressive fundraising initiative that supports scientists and researchers in their efforts to find a cure for asthma.

    Tobacco Control: Local Lung Associations have helped pass more than 40 tobacco control laws across the country. Most of these are aimed at restricting smoking in public places, or discouraging teenagers from smoking. ALA created The Unpuffables, a parent-child smoking prevention program introduced to schools and after-school programs. ALA distributes millions of tobacco education materials every year, including brochures and pamphlets about the health effects of tobacco, smoking-cessation guides, anti-smoking posters, buttons, decals, signs and tent cards, and anti-smoking educational materials for schools. The Smoke-Free Class of 2000 is an innovative program co-sponsored by ALA, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. Over 125,000 classrooms around the country are participating.

    Environmental Health: ALA played a major part in shaping the Indoor Air Quality Act, which will reduce indoor air pollution in offices, public buildings and homes. ALA has carried out the Radon Public Information Project with funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Ongoing public awareness activities throughout the country focus public attention on indoor and outdoor air pollution and what people can do to prevent it.
    • Information on publications, newsletters as well as information requests: (800) LUNG-USA
     
    Please note: the information presented above was provided and reviewed for accuracy by American Lung Association and was not verified independently by the Children's Environmental Health Network.
    Publication date: 5/5/99
    Updated: 7/27/2006
    Resource Guide Table of Contents