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, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, air quality, and lung cancer. We provide educational programs, advocate for public health, and support scientific research to prevent, eliminate, and treat lung disease.
Our staff is augmented by a network of active volunteers, including a dynamic nine-member Board of Directors. Our President & CEO is Daniel Fortin, a native of New Hampshire who started his work with our organization in 1992. For the President's message and a current list of our Board of Directors click here.
Founded in 1916, Breathe New Hampshire is the state's oldest nonprofit public health agency. Under the leadership of our founder, Dr. Robert B. Kerr, a group of concerned citizens established the New Hampshire Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. The original mission was to stop the spread of tuberculosis in New Hampshire. Later in the century, antibiotics were discovered that cured tuberculosis and brought the spread of the disease under control in this country.
We began operating as the New Hampshire Lung Association in 1973, addressing a broader array of lung health issues at a time when chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer were increasing. On July 1, 2007, we changed our name to Breathe New Hampshire. Since our founding in 1916, we have had many names as our organization and public health evolved. Despite the name changes, we have remained the same legal organization focused on the lung health challenges in New Hampshire.
Below are the various names we have had since our founding.
We approach our work with honesty and integrity and are accountable and credible in all we do.
We listen, respond, and advocate, addressing issues in effective and innovative ways.
We value the contributions of others and build community connections and develop relationships to reach common goals.