Title:

We All Share the Same Air [Environmental Health]

Creator:

American Lung Association

Date:

1977

Description:

This 1977 poster illustrates two common techniques in public health advertisements: 1) using a simple photograph of a child to appeal to the adult viewer's sense of accountability; and 2) changing the photograph and content of the poster while preserving the basic style and layout, frequently in an attempt to make a connection with different segments of the viewing population. Without reading the text, this poster featuring a photograph of a smiling child might address any number of topics. This is part of the attempt to catch the interest of viewers and encourage them to read the text. The message in the headline introduces the issue of air pollution and speaks to the viewer in first person plural in order to create the sense that "we're all in this together." The hopeful smile of the child in the poster is combined with the expectation of compliance in the text. While the headline "We all share the same air" could reflect a message of general accountability, the caption beneath the photograph targets the smoker by thanking them "for not smoking." Even here, however, the language is suggestive and encouraging rather than domineering or condescending.

Publisher:

American Lung Association

Original Repository:

The History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection

Rights:

Reprinted with permission c2003 American Lung Association. For more information on how you can support to fight lung disease, the third leading cause of death in the U.S., please contact the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or logon to the Web site at: and http://www.lungusa.org/

Genre:

Posters
Slides (photographs)

Subject:

Air Pollution and Public Health

Format:

Still Image

Extent:

1 pages

Relation:

Let's Fight Air Pollution, 1977
We All Share the Same Air [Anti-Smoking Campaigns], 1977

Language:

English

Legacy Source Citation:

Original Repository. History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection. 11611. Free Text. This image may also be accessed from the Images from the History of Medicine (IHM).. URL. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/ihm/. IHM Order Number. A024938

Legacy ID:

VCBBDB

NLM ID:

101584655X42

Profiles Collection:

Visual Culture and Health Posters

Shareable Link:

https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/101584655X42

Story Section:

Environmental Health