About


History and Mission

In the early twentieth century, tuberculosis rates soared among Chicago's immigrant population who often resided in overcrowded, poorly ventilated housing, and lacked access to clean water, nutritious food, and medical care. Nurse Harriet Fulmer of the Chicago Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), Dr. Theodore B. Sachs, and other local health professionals founded the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute in 1906. The mission of this organization was "to advance the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis and to coordinate the care of those afflicted with this dread disease."

In 1938, the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute was expanded to include all of Cook County and its name was changed to Tuberculosis Institute of Chicago and Cook County. The scope of services included education in the Chicago Public Schools, outreach to work places, and screening programs in the community to promote early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. During the 1950's, the organization expanded its program to include all lung diseases, and officially changed its name to the Chicago Lung Association in 1966 and in 1993 to American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ALAMC). The organization ended its affiliation with the American Lung Association and became an independent health charity renamed Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago in 2007.

Today, the mission of the Respiratory Health Association is to promote healthy lungs and fight lung disease through research, advocacy, and education. To that end, the 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 the following:

  • Advocate for cleaner air.
  • Reduce tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke.
  • Reverse the asthma epidemic in Chicago.
  • Improve treatments and cures for lung disease.

To learn more about RHAMC call (312) 243-2000