# NIOSH Respiratory Health Division > division of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health **Wikidata**: [Q123344459](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123344459) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/niosh-respiratory-health-division ## Summary The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division is an organizational component of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Established in 1967, it functions as a government agency dedicated to specific public services related to health. This division has operated under several official names throughout its history, reflecting its evolving focus within occupational respiratory health. ## Key Facts * **Parent Organization:** National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health * **Inception:** 1967 * **Classification:** Division, government agency * **Aliases:** Respiratory Health Division, RHD, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, DRDS, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases, ALFORD, ALORD, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health, ALOSH * **Current Official Name:** Respiratory Health Division (since 2015) * **Previous Official Names:** * Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (1977-2015) * Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health (1975-1977) * Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases (prior to 1975) * **Subsidiaries:** NIOSH Respiratory Health Division Office of the Director, NIOSH Respiratory Health Field Studies Branch, NIOSH Respiratory Health Surveillance Branch * **Definition of 'government agency':** An organizational part of a government responsible for specific public services, such as health, judiciary, education, transportation, foreign affairs, etc. ## FAQs **What is the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division?** The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division is a division of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It operates as a government agency, focusing on public services related to health, specifically within the realm of respiratory health. **When was the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division established?** The division was established in 1967. It has undergone several name changes since its inception, reflecting its historical development and evolving identity. **What are the different names the division has been known by?** The division has been known by several official names, including the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases (prior to 1975), the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health (1975-1977), the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (1977-2015), and currently, the Respiratory Health Division (since 2015). It is also known by aliases such as RHD, DRDS, ALFORD, ALORD, and ALOSH. **What are the organizational components of the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division?** The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division comprises several subsidiary components. These include the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division Office of the Director, the NIOSH Respiratory Health Field Studies Branch, and the NIOSH Respiratory Health Surveillance Branch. **What is the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division classified as?** The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division is classified as a division and a government agency. A government agency is an organizational part of a government tasked with specific public services, such as health, judiciary, education, or transportation. ## Why It Matters The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division plays a crucial role as a specialized component of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Its existence since 1967 underscores a long-standing commitment to addressing occupational respiratory health issues, which are vital for worker safety and public well-being. By focusing specifically on respiratory health, the division contributes to understanding, preventing, and mitigating diseases and hazards affecting the respiratory system in various workplaces. Its structured organization, including distinct branches for field studies and surveillance, indicates a comprehensive approach to research, monitoring, and intervention, making it a key entity in protecting the health of the American workforce. ## Notable For * Being a long-standing division, established in 1967, within the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. * Its evolution through multiple official names, including Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health, and Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, before becoming the Respiratory Health Division. * Operating as a government agency with a specific mandate for public services related to health. * Having distinct subsidiary branches, such as the Office of the Director, Field Studies Branch, and Surveillance Branch, to manage its specialized functions. ## Body ### Overview The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division is an integral division of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It functions as a government agency, which is defined as an organizational part of a government responsible for specific public services, such as health, judiciary, education, transportation, or foreign affairs. The division is also known by several aliases, including Respiratory Health Division, RHD, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, DRDS, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases, ALFORD, ALORD, Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health, and ALOSH. ### History and Evolution of Names The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division was established in 1967. Over its history, the division has operated under several official names, reflecting its development and specific focus areas. Prior to 1975, the division was officially known as the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases. This name is referenced in documents such as the Federal Register (FR-1975-12-11) and academic sources (e.g., NCBI PMC article PMC6490691). From 1975 to 1977, its official designation changed to the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Safety and Health. This name change is also documented in the Federal Register (FR-1975-12-11) and the NCBI PMC article. Subsequently, from 1977 until 2015, the division was officially known as the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies. This period of its naming is referenced in the NCBI PMC article PMC6490691. Since 2015, the division has been officially known as the Respiratory Health Division, as noted in the NCBI PMC article PMC6490691. ### Organizational Structure The NIOSH Respiratory Health Division operates under the umbrella of its parent organization, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. To fulfill its mandate, the division is further structured into several subsidiary components. These include the NIOSH Respiratory Health Division Office of the Director, which likely oversees the overall strategic direction and administration of the division. Additionally, it comprises the NIOSH Respiratory Health Field Studies Branch, responsible for conducting research and investigations in real-world occupational settings, and the NIOSH Respiratory Health Surveillance Branch, which focuses on monitoring and tracking respiratory health trends and outcomes among workers. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6490691/) 2. [Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-1975-12-11)