Hemp Advocacy

BREATHE LIFE NOW

BREATHE California of Los Angeles County ( BREATHE LA ) is driven by a history of dedication to lung health and clean air in Los Angeles County.

BREATHE LA programs and services are multi-cultural, multi-disciplined and atuned to the specific challenges of Los Angeles County. We are proud of our commitment to provide meaningful quality of life improvements to our community. Our strong advocacy for clean air and smoke-free environments are among the many ways in which we make good on our promise to protect the breath of life.

BREATHE LA provides educational and health awareness programs, conducts lung health research, promotes clean air initiatives, enhances professional development for respiratory health professionals, and works with local communities, elected leaders, business leaders and the health education community to increase awareness and effective advocacy.

Our mission is to promote clean air and healthy lungs
through research, education, and technology.

• RESEARCH
  • BREATHE LA CENTER FOR HEALTHY LUNGS Conducts lung health research with the goal of developing non-medical, community-based treatments that improve quality of life for those suffering with asthma, COPD or other lung diseases.

• EDUCATION
  • BREATHE LA Programs expanded in 2008:
    O24U Environmental Education Program is BREATHE LA signature program served 4,000 inner city school children in Spring 2008; poised for Spring 2009 after school sessions with ongoing partners.
    4-U-N-I Teens Helping Teens Quit Smokingis a High school student - led after school club guided by BREATHE LA created anti-smoking PSAs shown at BodyWorlds3 Exhibit at California Science Center on World No Tobacco Day 2008.
    Pulmones Libres / Breathe Freeis BREATHE LA Spanish language outreach program provides lung disease info and referrals and educates uninsured about risk factors and treatment options. City of LA declared Nov 14th BREATHE LA COPD Awareness Day, marked by a workshop and awareness campaign. Spanish language web pages and info are ready to promote the program.

• TECHNOLOGY
  • BREATHE LA New Technology
    O24U Online Environmental Education serves children within and beyond Los Angeles with online learning adventures related to environment.
    4-U-N-I Teens Helping Teens Quit Smoking students' Text-to-Quit Event is planned for Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade on World No Tobacco Day, May 30 2009. Teens will educate about the dangers of smoking by forwarding quit-smoking messages to teens.
    BREATHE LA website offers rich content, updated frequently, in user-friendly format. Thank you for visiting!
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BREATHE LA Board of Directors and Staff bring hundreds of years' combined experience and a passionate dedication to clean air and lung health issues with an unwavering commitment to the unique needs of our local Los Angeles community.

Do you breathe? We're here for you!

BREATHE California of Los Angeles County is dedicated to providing communities in Los Angeles County with the resources needed to promote clean air initiatives. Through its continued commitment to research, education and advocacy, BREATHE California of Los Angeles County works with local communities, elected leaders, business leaders and the health education community to increase awareness of the causes and treatments for lung-related diseases and breathing-related conditions.

BREATHE California’s programs educate and promote healthy lungs and better breathing. On a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined basis, we are working to help improve the lives of those with lung disease and breathing-related conditions. We are working with organizations to combat asthma and are partners in the battle for smoke-free environments and for overall cleaner air. We do this through specific programs and initiatives tailored to individual communities as well as various ages and cultural backgrounds.

First formed in 1903 as the Los Angeles Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, the organization served the city’s growing population of more than 300,000. For more than 30 years, the organization committed itself to increasing public awareness about the tuberculosis epidemic and other lung-related diseases—including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema—and working towards eradication.

Advances in technology, healthcare access and medicine all contributed to a dramatic downturn in active TB cases. As a result, the organization began to take an increased interest in the relationships between air pollution and respiratory disease. In 1968, the Society underwent a name change to become the Tuberculosis & Respiratory Disease Association of Los Angeles County. During this time, the fight against smog became a major effort and the measuring of air pollution began.

During the early 1970s, the organization focused on the prevention and control of lung disease and sponsored extensive research on air pollution’s effects on respiratory health.

In 1979, the organization became the American Lung Association of Los Angeles County and focused on anti-smoking and clean air initiatives, while increasing its focus on youth advocacy for anti-tobacco programs. As pediatric asthma rates increased nationwide, it also placed greater emphasis on its asthma education programs, while continuing to pursue clean air initiatives.

In 2006, the Los Angeles County chapter -- no longer affiliated in any way with the American Lung Association or American Lung Association California -- joined Central Coast, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, and Santa Clara-San Benito Counties to launch BREATHE California, a new statewide effort to advance lung-health programs and policies that best serve and involve our local communities. The organization’s five affiliates focus on localized programs and come together to implement programs and research that benefit all Californians.

The new BREATHE California name embraces this collective focus. Since 2006, the organization has worked to develop programs and deliver services that meet the specific needs of Los Angeles County.

BREATHE LA COPD AWARENESS DAY was declared by Los Angeles City Council in November 2008 with Awareness Campaign conducted in conjunction with the National Heart Lung Blood Institute.


BREATHE LA GREEN SALON Series ~ BREATHE LA-hosted panel discussions began in 2008 and focus on clean air, the environment and healthy living. The series is presented with the participation of leaders  in Los Angeles business, legislative and community arenas.