DES MOINES, IA | June 30, 2020
The American Lung Association in Iowa today announced that Kristina Hamilton will lead local and state policy initiatives as advocacy director.
In her new role, Hamilton will champion all Lung Association initiatives to support laws, rules and policies to improve lung health, reduce tobacco use and clean up pollution in the air we breathe. In Iowa, she will work to make all casinos smokefree, increase the cigarette tax to $1.50 per pack and include e-cigarettes into the definition of tobacco products.
“Influencing public policy, through legislation and regulation, at all levels of government is key to achieving our mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease," said Micki Sandquist, executive director of the Lung Association. "Kristina’s diverse experience in policy work, as well as her deep knowledge of the mission of the Lung Association, will help us make real change to improve the health of people in Iowa.”
For the last two years, Hamilton was the manager of government relations at Adtalem Global Education, a leading workforce solutions provider that operated several educational institutions, including medical, nursing and veterinary schools. Prior to that, she worked at the Lung Association from 2012-2018, where she implemented multiple community health and public policy initiatives, including working with the Illinois General Assembly to raise the minimum legal sale age of tobacco products from 18 to 21. Hamilton fills the role left vacant by Kathy Drea, who led the Lung Association's advocacy efforts in the region for more than 20 years. Drea retired earlier this year.
“Between the COVID-19 global pandemic, the rise in youth vaping and the threat of climate change, there is a tremendous amount of work to do to protect our lung health,” said Hamilton. “I am eager to work with city, county and state lawmakers to improve lung health and access to healthcare for all.”
Hamilton earned her bachelor’s degree in history and African American studies at the University of Virginia and her master’s degree in health policy and administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
###
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Jill Dale
312-940-7001
[email protected]
2X Your Lifesaving Impact
We all play a part in protecting lung health. For a limited time, your gift will be DOUBLED to defeat lung disease!