BREATHE LA History

Breathe California of Los Angeles County ("BREATHE LA") was first formed in 1903 as an independent lung health organization called 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 was committed to increasing public awareness about the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic and other lung-related diseases-including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema-and working towards eradicating these diseases.

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 the first of several name changes to become the Tuberculosis & Respiratory Disease Association of Los Angeles County. During this time, the fight against smog in Los Angeles 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 the effects of air pollution on respiratory health. We were one of the first organizations to do so and we carry on this tradition today.  In 1979, the organization became the American Lung Association of Los Angeles County and focused on anti-smoking and clean air initiatives, with an increased focus on youth advocacy for anti-tobacco programs. As pediatric asthma rates increased nationwide, the organization also placed greater emphasis on asthma education programs, while continuing to pursue clean air initiatives.

BREATHE LA rebranded itself in 2006 to emphasize its focus as an independent lung health organization to address Los Angeles County's specific air quality and health needs.  BREATHE LA is a member of the BREATHE America Alliance, a network of nationwide independent lung health organizations including four other BREATHE California organizations that focus on Central Coast, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara-San Benito Counties. The five BREATHE California organizations focus on localized programs and come together to implement programs and research that benefit all Californians as we work together to advance primary and secondary lung disease prevention interventions and advocate for clean air policies and practices.

To learn more about the activities of our affiliates and our statewide presence, visit www.breathecalifornia.org

To support the programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of our Los Angeles communities, donate now.