The Houston Anti-Tuberculosis League (later known as San Jacinto Lung Association) was first established on November 11, 1911. In the early 20th Century, Houston had a higher death rate of tuberculosis than the national average with two in 1000 persons dying from the disease in 1910. At the time, there was no organized movement to address the public health crisis in the city. The League modeled the organization on the National Anti-Tuberculosis Association and the Texas State Anti-Tuberculosis Association, which were established a few years before in 1904 and 1908 respectively.

The League was a non-profit, community-driven organization dedicated to engage the people of Houston to control, prevent, and educate the community about tuberculosis.

The Houston Anti-Tuberculosis League funded all of its programs through the annual Christmas Seals campaign. From $263.82 in 1911 to over $150,000 in 1956, the League raised a lot of money in a two-month period from Thanksgiving to just after the New Year.

See more about the collection at blog post entitled: Houston and the Fight Against Tuberculosis.

Items from this exhibit are from the McGovern Historical Center at The TMC Library.