For more than 100 years, Breathe New Hampshire has been an integral part of the public health landscape in the Granite State. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Breathe NH focuses on critical issues related to lung health, such as tobacco use, vaping, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma and air quality. We advance our mission through prevention, education, and support programs that help individuals and communities reduce risk, manage respiratory conditions, and improve quality of life. We also advance public health through advocacy initiatives and by supporting scientific research through the Mary Fuller Russell Research Fund.
For information on our leadership, staff and our current Board of Directors click here.
Founded in 1916, Breathe New Hampshire is proud to be the state's oldest nonprofit public health agency. What began as the New Hampshire Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, led by Dr. Robert B. Kerr and a group of concerned citizens, was a bold response to one of the most urgent health crises of the time. With the development of antibiotics and the successful control of tuberculosis, our mission naturally evolved to meet the emerging lung health challenges of a new era.
In 1973, we became the New Hampshire Lung Association, expanding our focus to include chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. As public health continued to shift, so did we, adopting the name Breathe New Hampshire in 2007 to better reflect the breadth of our work and our commitment to helping all Granite Staters breathe easier.
While our name has changed over the years, our dedication has remained constant. For more than a century, we’ve adapted to meet the needs of the moment, always staying true to our mission of improving lung health in New Hampshire.
We collaborate with partners across the state to provide resources and secure funding for our programming.
Our initiatives aim to minimize isolation and maintain a sense of community.
We offer support through education to those affected by lung disease, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals.