First American Voluntary Health Agency Turns 100
Today, one of the first voluntary public health organizations celebrates its 100th Anniversary. Created by dreamers determined to cure America's number-one killer that rampantly wiped out families, struck the rich and poor, and wreaked social and economic havoc, the American Lung Association has met its original challenge of tuberculosis (TB), tackled enormous societal and lung health issues, and pioneered the U.S. public health system and an army of voluntary agencies who have impacted virtually every American life.
"When the American Lung Association was founded, it was a radical departure from the charities and the learned societies that had existed previously. It represented the birth, not just of an organization, but of the entire modern public health movement," said Dr. Alfred Munzer, a past-president of the American Lung Association, "Today, we adhere to this same basic premise-that disease, ignorance, prejudice and fear can be defeated through research, education and advocacy."
In 1903, there was no public health system, no tight network of clinicians benefiting from a systemic effort, no public or patient education services, and no end in sight for a seemingly incurable epidemic. But in 1904, a group of doctors and "concerned citizen-volunteers" created a model that has withstood the test of time. The "National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis" (the American Lung Association's initial name) was the first organization that successfully united science and citizens for public health improvement. The basic formula has also been applied to the fight against heart disease, cancer, birth defects, diabetes and AIDS.
"The achievements of the collective minds, energies and motivations of our volunteers, researchers, and staff throughout the past 100 years are based on a singular focus on improving individual lives," said American Lung Association Chairman Bill Voigt, "Our priorities have changed as we have identified the leading lung health issue in each succeeding generation; from tuberculosis to smoking to clean air to chronic lung disease to asthma. But our passion and commitment have not wavered."
While the scope of work has expanded over its first 100 years, the American Lung Association has continued to influence American health and medicine through major milestones, including:
-- A major role in the adoption of directly observed therapy-an important tool used worldwide in controlling TB, especially multi-drug resistant TB.
-- leadership in the enactment and vigilance in defending the Clean Air Act, which the Lung Association continues to defend today
-- decreased America's smoking rate, created the nation's gold-standard smoking-cessation program, and established itself as a global leader in tobacco control education and advocacy
-- reduced infant mortality through research work that contributed to the discovery of surfactant and subsequent treatment for respiratory distress syndrome
-- initiated smoke-free policies among airlines
-- encouraged increased federal funding for biomedical research
-- enacted a variety of landmark state laws creating smoke-free public places, including restaurants, bars, offices
-- enacted worker protection laws to minimize individual exposure to lung toxins
-- supported the creation of the National Institutes of Health Lung Program
-- contributed to improved clinical understanding and treatment of asthma
-- An American Lung Association-funded researcher participated in the dramatic discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene. This opened the door to new understanding of the disease and greater research possibilities.
-- funded research advances toward anticoagulant drugs used to treat blood clots in the lungs and dramatically increase survival
-- established and manage the nation's largest non-commercial clinical network of asthma researchers
"The American Lung Association early on in its history took on a highly infectious disease (tuberculosis) and dramatically limited its impact on humans. Their work helped lay the foundation for volunteer organizations and government to work together for the health of all people in the United States," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Our relevance today is greater than ever," said President and CEO John Kirkwood "In our second century we will expand our research commitment, strengthen our advocacy programs and improve the transfer of information and knowledge to the public, patients and their caregivers."
For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the American Lung Association works to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung diseases and breathing problems are the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States today, and asthma is the leading serious chronic childhood illness. Smoking remains the nation's leading preventable cause of death. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined.
The American Lung Association has long funded vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. It is the foremost defender of the Clean Air Act and laws that protect citizens from secondhand smoke. The Lung Association teaches children the dangers of tobacco use and helps teenage and adult smokers overcome addiction. It educates children and adults living with lung diseases on managing their condition. With the generous support of the public and volunteers, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time."
Prima american voluntare de sãnãtate vireazã Agenþiei 100 - First American Voluntary Health Agency Turns 100 - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate