TOP STORY
‘State of Tobacco Control’ 2021: On January 27, we released our 19th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report. This year's report focuses on the importance of ending tobacco use amid the pandemic, as smoking increases the risk of more severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. This is especially important for those populations and communities most impacted overall by tobacco use and secondhand smoke, who are also facing a disproportionate burden from the pandemic, including communities of color, LGBTQ+ Americans and persons of lower income. To address this critical public health threat and related health disparities, “State of Tobacco Control” provides a roadmap for and grades state and federal governments on their efforts to pass proven tobacco control policies.
COVID-19 Resources: The Lung Association has trusted information and resources to help us all get through the COVID-19 pandemic together. Find the latest at Lung.org/covid19. Recent additions include our new COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker which has science-based information you can trust to help you stay informed about the safety and availability of a COVID-19 vaccine. You can view our most recent COVID-19 Town Hall – “Moving the Needle: COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution,” see updates on our COVID-19 Action Initiative, latest Blogs and more. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels and share these timely resources to your network.
New COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit: It will take all of us to bring this pandemic under control. Yet, many Americans are still deciding if they will get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s why we have released a science-based, factual guide called Better for It to help begin a conversation on how to make a well-informed decision about COVID-19 vaccination. This toolkit was done in partnership with the Center for Black Health & Equity. We invite you to download our resources to help spread the word in your community. It is available at Lung.org/vaccine-toolkit.
Lungcast™: Join us for our latest Lungcast, our exclusive podcast presented with HCPLive, that it spotlights conversations with researchers, physicians, patients and advocates about hot topics impacting lung health. Our latest episode helped kick off Black History Month by featuring nationally recognized infectious disease expert Dr. Donald Alcendor of Meharry Medical College. Dr. Alcendor, a member of the Lung Association’s Scientific Advisory Committee, virtually sits down with host Dr. Albert Rizzo to detail how historic and ongoing health disparities in Black, Brown and other communities of color impact the COVID-19 pandemic. It also sheds new light on coronavirus mutations and monoclonal antibodies, in addition to the importance of an equitable vaccination rollout. See the many ways the Lung Association is celebrating Black History Month.
No Patient Left Behind: Black Men and Lung Cancer: Black Americans with lung cancer are less likely to be diagnosed at an early stage, less likely to receive surgical treatment and less likely to receive any treatment compared to white Americans. Join us on February 19 from 11 am to 12 p.m. CST as Dr. Khadijah Mitchell of Lafayette College and National Spokesperson and UC Davis Health associate professor, Dr. David Tom Cooke, address lung cancer disparities in Black men during this webinar. Register here.
New Healthcare Special Enrollment Period: The Biden Adminstration announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and family to enroll in quality and affordable health insurnace through healthcare.gov from February 15, 2021 through May 15, 2021. This is an opportunity for the millions of Americans who have lost employed-sponsored coverage as a result of COVID-19 to enrolle in coverage and to ensure everyone has coverage for vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. The Lung Association has resources on open enrollment in both english and spanish available at Lung.org/openenrollment.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Join Us and Climb Outside! Your support is more important than ever at this time when our lungs are at extreme risk! Our famous Fight for Air Climb events have been an important way for people to help raise funds to support our lifesaving mission. This year join us out-of-doors for a one-of-a-kind adventure to support healthy lungs and clean air. Register today.
Support Our Mission Through Champions Unite: We're teaming up with Southern California big league baseball teams to host a first-of-its-kind benefit, Champions Unite, that will delight fans everywhere. Players from the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels will compete in a fun, off-field talent showdown. Reserve your spot at baseball's virtual talent show. If you are in CA or NV, pick up a Champion Box, the perfect gift for you or that special someone who wants the "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" experience. Although the event is based in southern California, anyone across the country who loves baseball, or loves healthy lungs can join in the fun.
- March 25
- 5:30 p.m. PST: Preshow
- 6:00 p.m. PST: Game Time
LUNG CANCER
COVID-19 Impact on Lung Cancer Patients: The COVID-19 pandemic presents new challenges for #lungcancer patients and healthcare providers. From delays in chemotherapy treatment to suspension of elective surgeries, the impact is significant. #LUNGFORCE Hero Jane provides information about how patients can protect themselves and others: https://www.lung.org/blog/lung-cancer-patient-during-covid
RESEARCH
Advancing Research 2020-2021: For over 115 years, the American Lung Association has focused on driving excellence and innovation through research. This year’s Advancing Research report highlights our impact in lung disease research, including in-depth looks at researchers from the Airways Clinical Research Centers, updates from our Award & Grant recipients, and patient stories. As part of this year’s report, we profile Jon Rosen, who is serving his fourth term on our National Board of Directors, and how his father inspired his years of service.
Recent Published Research: A member of our Research Team, Amali Samarasinghe, Ph.D., at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center was recently published in the Eosinophils journal. The paper, titled “Murine Models of Eosinophil Function in Fungal and Viral Infections,” details a study funded in part by the American Lung Association and explores how viral exposure may improve antibacterial functions in eosinophils. Eosinophils are a type of disease-fighting white blood cell.
TOBACCO
New Resources to Help Smokers Quit in 2021: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated its adult tobacco cessation recommendation. The USPSTF reaffirmed the “A” grade for both counseling and pharmacotherapy for adult smokers that want to quit. Any preventive service given an “A” or “B” by USPSTF is required to be covered without cost-sharing for Medicaid expansion plans and most private plans. The Lung Association had previously submitted comments on the proposed recommendation and issued a statement when the update was announced.
If you want to quit, the Lung Association has proven tools and information to help make 2021 the year you begin a new tobacco-free life. Check out our “5 Quit Smoking Tips to Be Tobacco-free in the New Year. ” We’ve also partnered with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to improve lung health of veterans, including helping vets quit tobacco use, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, through pre-paid membership in our Freedom From Smoking® program, and our many other cessation resources. To learn more, email us at [email protected].
ADVOCACY
The Biden Harris Administration Takes Action on Lung Health: As part of a suite of executive actions issued in their first couple days, the Biden Administration issued executive actions to require masks on federal property; to re-engage in the World Health Organization; to establish a federal COVID-19 Response Coordinator; to direct agencies to reduce methane and vehicle emissions and review the Trump Administration’s environmental rollbacks; to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement; to establish a social cost of carbon that reflects the full impacts of climate change; to improve and modernize regulatory review; to repeal the executive order restricting racial equity training; and to launch an initiative to advance racial equity. The Lung Association issued a statement praising all of these actions, which will benefit the lung health of Americans. We were also pleased to see that the administration subsequently announced strong additional actions on equity, climate change and healthcare.
HEALTHY AIR & CLIMATE CHANGE
Significant Victory on Climate Lawsuit: On January 19, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision to vacate and remand the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) dangerous and flawed “Affordable Clean Energy” (ACE) rule. The American Lung Association was the lead plaintiff in the case challenging the ACE rule, joined by the American Public Health Association and others and represented by the Clean Air Task Force. This decision throwing out the rule is a huge win for Americans everywhere. It also sets the stage for EPA to set a stronger, more protective rule that reduces climate pollution and the public health impacts of climate change. We issued a joint statement with the American Public Health Association and the Clean Air Task Force.
Court Decision Tosses Out Harmful “Censoring Science” Rule: On February 1, a U.S. district court vacated another EPA rule that the Lung Association strongly opposed. The rule, which health organizations dubbed the “Censoring Science” rule, would have restricted EPA’s ability to use sound health science to inform its policies. This is a huge victory for the hundreds of health professionals and volunteers like you who joined us in advocating against Censoring Science.
Lung Association Hosts Climate & Clean Air Panel: On February 4, the American Lung Association and American University co-hosted a virtual panel event focusing on opportunities for the Biden-Harris Administration to advance climate action and the promise of the Clean Air Act - healthy air for all communities. The event featured opening remarks from a senior Biden Administration official and a great panel discussion with experts representing legal, scientific, state and industry perspectives. A recording of the event is available.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as "black lung disease," occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe. Jerry C., a coal miner for 37 years, shares his story in our recent blog “The Air Down There: A Miner’s Story on Developing Black Lung.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Your support makes our mission possible! Whether it’s funding research to help us end COVID-19, keeping kids off tobacco, protecting the air we breathe and so much more, all depend on your generous support! Thank you for helping us all breathe easier together!
Blog last updated: August 29, 2023
