Clean Air. Healthy Lungs. Stronger Communities
About Us
At Breathe SoCal we work to provide resources that educate families living in the Southern California region to improve their community’s air quality and lung health. There are 1.2 million California children who have asthma, and half of them have never been given an asthma management plan.
Of the 1.2 million, 200,000 live in Los Angeles – a city with some of the nation’s worst air quality. We provide under-resourced neighborhoods with effective lung health services to change how they live their everyday lives. It can increase their access to proper healthcare, improve their overall health, and keep children in school.
The fight for clean air is a tough battle, but it is possible. We work with local experts, community members, and policymakers to advocate for the best practices in reclaiming the air you breathe and protecting every lung.
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Research
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Education
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Advocacy
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Technology
Our History
Breathe Southern California (Breathe SoCal) 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.
Since its creation in 1903, Breathe SoCal has undergone a number of name changes, but the mission stays the same!
Take a look at the timetable to learn more!
Incorporated as Los Angeles Tuberculosis & Health Association
1927
Los Angeles County Tuberculosis and health association
1952
Tuberculosis & Health Association of Los Angeles County
1958
Tuberculosis & Respiratory Disease Association of
Los Angeles County
1968
Lung Association of Los Angeles
1974
American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
197
BREATHE California of Los Angeles County
2006
Breathe Southern California
2020
Our Focus
Breathe Southern California’s dedicated staff can be found serving communities throughout all of Southern California, bringing much needed connection, solutions and aid through:
Promoting education, support, and early diagnosis for individuals suffering from respiratory-related chronic conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• Preventing lung disease by addressing its major causes: tobacco use and air pollution via advocacy;
• Conducting research on lung disease
• Promoting clean technology and clean energy solutions to air pollution and climate change.
Executive Board
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Lucy Labruzzo | Chair
President & CEO,
Engineering Partners Incorporated -
Zach Woolridge | Treasurer
Vice President,
JP Morgan Private Bank -
Angela DePaoli | Treasurer
President & CEO,
Bargas Environmental Consulting
