American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific Programs
Our goals are to help alleviate the burden of lung disease for patients and families; help people quit smoking, the most preventable cause of death in the US, and prevent young people from starting in the first place; and to fight for healthy air so we can all breathe easier. We achieve our goals through education, advocacy, and research.
While our programs are designed to work in all populations of our communities – we participate in national initiatives to reach those most affected by lung disease. Targeted populations include; African Americans, Native and Alaskan Americans, Latinos, the LGBT community and communities defined as living in low socioeconomic areas.
Individuals needing information about lung health issues, lung disease and smoking cessation can call our Lung Help Line, 1-800-LUNGUSA (800-548-8252). Registered nurses and registered respiratory therapists are available daily. Services are available in English and Spanish. Information is also available through email.
Affecting more than six million children, asthma is the leading serious chronic illness among American kids. In addition to providing vital research support, the American Lung Association facilitates asthma-care partnerships involving school nurses and educational staff as well as physicians, families and Lung Association volunteers.
"Stop them before they start” – that’s the goal of our highly successful Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) program. TATU is a peer-based education program designed to educate our youth about the dangers of tobacco use. Middle and High School students are trained to present the truth about tobacco to more than elementary school students. Since its inception in 2000, statistics show that there are now fewer youth smokers.
The Master Home Environmentalist (MHE) program in Washington offers an innovative approach to addressing issues of indoor pollution, and it is designed to assist people in identifying health and environmental concerns at home. Recommendations are suggested to residents that help them to reduce their exposure to indoor pollutants. Home pollutant exposure may result in asthma, retarded growth, learning disabilities, allergies, cancer, lung disease, symptoms of sick building syndrome, and other illnesses. In addition, MHE staff is trained to perform asthma outreach as well as landlord/tenant outreach. Many of our volunteers speak foreign languages.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
We are proud of our landmark victories in the Fight for Air that include requiring clear diesel buses and trucks, getting power plants to clean up emissions, and winning smoke-free work and public places. The American Lung Association provided leadership and guidance in successfully creating smoke-free states and implementing a comprehensive statewide law prohibiting smoking in all indoor public places including restaurants, bars, taverns, bowling alleys, skating rinks and non-tribal casinos in many states. The comprehensive smoking law protects families, children, workers and the elderly from secondhand smoke.
The American Lung Association needs support to continue our work in advocating for healthy air and healthy lungs; in helping people to quit smoking and educating young people to prevent them from starting; and in finding ways to reverse, treat, prevent and find cures for all lung diseases through research.