Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC) is a non-profit organization [ [http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7814 Charity Navigator Rating - Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago ] ] and has been a local public health leader since 1906. Today the Association fights lung disease and promotes healthy lungs by supporting research, advocacy, and educational efforts on behalf of individuals and families affected by lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases. [ [http://www.lungchicago.org Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago - The mission is to promote healthy lungs and fight lung disease through research, advocacy, and education ] ]

History

1906 Chicago Tuberculosis Institute was founded "to advance the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis and to coordinate the care of those afflicted with this dreaded disease."

1956 Following a decline in TB deaths, National Tuberculosis Association voted to broaden its mission to include other respiratory diseases.

1964 The landmark Surgeon General's Report announced, "Cigarette smoking... is the single most avoidable cause of disease in our society and the most important public health issue of our time."

1972 The TB Institute of Chicago and Cook County changed its name to Chicago Lung Association. National TB and Respiratory Disease Association formally changed its name to American Lung Association.

1988 Chicago Lung Association organized a grassroots lobbying campaign to pass Chicago's first clean indoor air ordinance (34-8) restricting smoking in restaurants, workplaces and public spaces.

1993 Chicago Lung Association is renamed American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ALAMC).

1998 The State of Illinois expects to receive $9 billion over a 25-year period as part of a national settlement with tobacco companies. ALAMC hosts the first annual Hustle up the Hancock stairclimb up the John Hancock Center to raise funds for its mission; ALAMC administers 14,000 flu shots throughout metropolitan Chicago.

2004 Four local health initiatives are launched: a COPD Initiative to combat the nation's fourth killer disease; Catch Your Breath®, the first annual women and lung health conference; the first Asthma Action Plan for Chicago; and the READI program providing influenza vaccinations to 25,000 Chicagoans.

2005 The organization plays a key role in passing Chicago's 100% smoke-free ordinance, which eliminates or phases out smoking in all Chicago workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

2007 Illinois becomes the 22nd state in the nation to become 100% smoke-free in its workplaces. The Smoke Free Illinois Act is passed through the work of the ALAMC and other health groups.

2007 The organization ends its affiliation with American Lung Association and becomes an independent lung health organization. At that time the organization changes its name to Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC).

2008 RHAMC and the Illinois COPD Coalition release the Illinois State COPD Plan. As only the second of its kind in the nation, the plan outlines a state strategy to educate the public and better treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Mission

Respiratory Health Association promotes healthy lungs and fights lung disease through research, advocacy, and education. RHAMC serves an estimated one million Cook County residents diagnosed with asthma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other lung diseases through community-based interventions. More specifically, goals of the RHAMC include:
* Improving treatments and cures for lung disease.
* Reducing tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke.
* Reversing the asthma epidemic in Chicago.
* Advocating for cleaner air.

Research

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago has two missions that run in parallel -- to educate and advocate for lung health today, and to aid in research that will help future generations live with, cure or prevent lung disease. To that end, RHAMC commits a portion of its annual budget to research initiatives that show potential.

In addition to working to fund biomedical, social-behavioral and clinical research, RHAMC encourages greater collaboration between researchers. The Association’s involvement with multi-site Lung Cancer Oncology Group is an example of that effort.

Advocacy

RHAMC policy initiatives address long term concerns and focus not only on asthma, COPD, and lung cancer, but on the causes of these and many other respiratory diseases. RHAMC supports:
* Clean technology as an avenue towards reduced emissions for cleaner outdoor air.
* Smoke-free policies to reduce indoor air pollution.
* Health education as a means to healthy living.
* Research to improve our understanding of respiratory disease and its causes.

Programs

RHAMC offers programs to prevent lung disease and help adults, children and caregivers manage lung disease. Respiratory Health Association makes these programs available to schools, community organizations, health agencies and individuals for free or for a nominal fee. RHAMC programs include:
* Asthma Education Initiative
** Fight Asthma Now (FAN), youth and teen asthma management program
** Asthma Management, for adults giving care to someone with asthma.
** Winning with Asthma, a web-based asthma education program for coaches and PE teachers
** Addressing Asthma in Englewood, program to help families living in the Englewood and West Englewood communities who have children with asthma.
* Chicago Thoracic Society—Membership and lecture series
* COPD Initiative
* Influenza Prevention Program
* Lung Cancer Initiative
* Nursing Assembly
* Courage to Quit®--Adult tobacco cessation program
* Project Ex—Teen tobacco cessation program
* Youth Tobacco Action Network – Tobacco education and advocacy program
* Catch Your Breath®--a women and lung health initiative

Events

*First Look for Charity (Feb)
*Hustle Up the Hancock (Feb)
*State Advocacy Day (April)
*Inspiration Event (Spring)
*Federal Advocacy Day (May)
*COPD Cruise (June)
*CowaLUNGA Bike Tour (Aug)
*Hike for Lung Health (Sept)
*Catch Your Breath® Conference (Fall)
*Respiratory Rally (Fall)
*Chill (Nov)

References

External Links

* [http://www.lungchicago.org Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago] , official website.
* [http://www.catchyourbreath.org Catch Your Breath]
* [http://www.cowalunga.com CowaLUNGa Bike Tour]
* [http://www.copdillinois.org Illinois COPD Coalition]
* [http://www.copdchicago.org COPD Initiative]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Respiratory-Health-Association-of-Metropolitan-Chicago/7856491439 RHAMC on Facebook]