Posted on December 27, 2022
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice, is pleased to share a Year-End Summary of Accomplishments, including our education, advocacy, and community impact in 2022. As a leader in public health advocacy, we are on the front lines working to end the man-made asbestos disaster on many levels.
2022 Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Year in Review
2022 Educational Initiatives: In an effort to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos, ADAO successfully:
- Hosted the hybrid 17th Annual Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference and “Asbestos: Art, Advocacy, and Action” Festival in Atlanta, GA and virtually for worldwide participants. The hybrid model always allows us to lower the barrier to accessing the lifesaving information shared at our conference.
- Distributed 12 monthly eNewsletters with the latest asbestos-related news and events to a global audience
- Held our 17th Congressional Staff Briefing: “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy”
- Participated in 2022 November Lung Cancer Awareness Month: ADAO is Raising Asbestos Awareness and Prevention with Every Breath
- Organized 2022 October Health Literacy Month 4-Part Blog Series
- Continually updated ADAO’s website highlighting asbestos-related news and events and housing extensive educational resources, including an Asbestos Video Library of conference videos and educational presentations
- Expanded our network of physicians, researchers, public health practitioners, labor union members, and asbestos victims by conducting extensive online outreach campaigns on a variety of social media platforms
- Shared asbestos & mesothelioma facts, resources, and hosted community events during September Mesothelioma Awareness Month
- Flew a flag over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in honor of Mesothelioma Warriors on Mesothelioma Awareness Day
2022 Advocacy Initiatives: In order to advocate for an international ban on asbestos use, mining, and exportation of this known carcinogen, ADAO:
- Worked with lawmakers to advance the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of (ARBAN) of 2022
- ADAO and other leading public health organizations reached two landmark settlements with EPA to strengthen asbestos risk evaluation
- Expanded our art and advocacy efforts by collaborating with artists to promote advocacy:
- Continuing ADAO’s Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference Virtual Art Festival: “Asbestos: Art, Advocacy, and Action” on September 16th, 2022
- Introducing ADAO’s New Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference Virtual Film Festival: “Art, Advocacy, and Shared Stories” on September 17, 2021
2022 Community Initiatives: To provide a community of support for those affected by asbestos, ADAO:
- Coordinated Global Asbestos Awareness Week to raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure
- Honored and uplifted those we lost and those who are fighting through our 2021 – 2022 Mesothelioma Warrior Candle Lighting Tradition, which continues on December 28 and January 4
- Published and shared new “Share Your Story” submissions from patients and families from across the globe who have been devastated by asbestos-related disease
- Utilized ADAO’s Facebook Page, Facebook Group pages, and Twitter presence to provide an interactive medium for those seeking a space to share, connect, or access information on asbestos exposure, prevention, and current policy
ADAO 2022 Presentations:
- February 4, 2022: Less Cancer’s National Cancer Prevention Day Workshop
- 2022 American University Washington College of Law: “Asbestos: Drafting Legislation During Tumultuous Times”
- April 8, 2022: OSH Africa Global Asbestos Awareness Week Webinar
- August 26, 2022: Community Meeting in Louisiana re: Chlor-Alkali Plants and Asbestos Contamination