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Advocacy

Advocacy is at the core of Respiratory Health Association’s mission to prevent lung disease, promote clean air and help people live better through education, research and policy change. Whether it’s reducing the dangers we face from air pollution, preventing tobacco use or improving access to health care, we are committed to advancing policies that protect lung health and create a better future for everyone.

Volunteers and community members work together with our staff locally, in Springfield and at our nation’s capital to advocate for policies that protect the air we breathe and improve the lives of people affected by lung disease.

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Good Policy Saves Lives

We focus on policies that address clean air and lung health concerns — including those around air quality, lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and tobacco control.

With your support, we advocate for change that will reduce youth smoking, help children with asthma manage their disease and clean up our air for everyone. These changes improve the lives of those living with lung disease — and move us toward a future free of lung disease, where everyone breathes easier. See what we are working on and how you can help.

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Take Action to Protect Lung Health

Spending just a minute of your time on these issues today will make a lasting impact and protect lung health throughout Illinois. We encourage you to share with your network as well.

Support Stronger Pollution Standards for Trucks

“My name is Catherine Horine, and I have one working lung from a transplant seven years ago. Having clean air to breathe is especially important to me. We need stronger heavy-duty truck pollution standards to protect lung health! I testified at the online hearing for the clean truck rule – could you take three minutes to take action and protect lung health for people like me?”

EPA isn’t doing enough to reduce pollution from diesel powered vehicles. You can tell the agency to take further action to help everyone breathe easier by clicking here. 

How You Can Help Today

People living with chronic lung disease have suffered and will suffer many of the worst consequences of COVID-19. This makes it even more critical for us to carry out our mission during the pandemic.

Here are some ways you can share your passion for lung health and take action today:

Do you have a minute?

Follow us on social media

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Watch the video above to see how your advocacy efforts can help!

Do you have five minutes?

  • Take action for clean air
  • Watch this webinar about transportation, air pollution, and lung health
  • Read this article about our work for healthier air

Do you have 10 minutes?

  • Find out who your elected officials are
  • Read up on our policy initiatives

Do you have more time? 

  • Share your story with us!
  • If you’ve been spending more time at home during local shelter in place orders, you may have noticed more things about where you live. Here are some resources we have on common community problems that you can share.

Share Your Lung Health Story

Tell us why healthy lungs and clean air for all is something you are passionate about.  Some ideas to help you write:

  • What does “healthy lungs” mean to you?
  • What would passing legislation for cleaner air allow you to do?
  • In a perfect world, I would be able to do ________ and not worry about my lungs.

Please note we may follow-up with you to learn more, or use your story on our communication channels including the website and social media.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

COVID-19 Information

The COVID-19 pandemic represents the latest threat to lung health, especially for those living with lung diseases like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. We have developed a number of resources to help you avoid getting sick and slow the virus’s spread. Learn more.