TOP NEWS
Flu Levels Highest in 25 Years as Changes to Childhood Immunization Schedule Weaken Immunization Recommendations
The American Lung Association is ‘deeply concerned’ about recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule, including weakened recommendations for influenza, or flu, vaccines. “These significant changes were made without going through the rigorous, scientific review process that has guided U.S. vaccine recommendations for decades,” said Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer in a statement. The revised schedule recommends shared clinical decision-making (a discussion between a patient or caregiver and their healthcare provider) for the flu. The change “adds a burden and causes confusion,” said Wimmer. “The American Lung Association strongly supports widespread vaccination, which is crucial for public health, and this is especially true for respiratory viruses, including the flu and COVID-19.” Earlier this month, flu rates reached a 25-year high, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- The Lung Association offers flu resources in English and Spanish.
- Read: 5 things for parents to know about changes to kids' vaccine schedule
Immediate Senate Action Needed on Healthcare Tax Credits
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill, which if enacted, would extend the enhanced healthcare tax credits for three years. In a statement, Harold Wimmer urged the Senate to “follow suit and finalize a bipartisan deal that extends enhanced healthcare tax credits and maintains all patients’ access to quality, affordable healthcare without additional barriers.” A record 24 million people receive their healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Congress let the enhanced healthcare tax credits expire at the end of 2025. Without immediate Senate action, people’s monthly premiums, on average, will more than double.
Act Now: Ask your U.S. Senator to restore Healthcare Premium Tax Credits.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Find Your Climb in 2026
Our first 2026 Flight For Air Climb events will be held in February at the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles and at The Strat in Las Vegas —both on Saturday, February 22. Another 27 events will be held from March through June at iconic locations throughout the United States. Our Fight for Air Climb events support programs to end lung cancer, champion clean air, reduce the burden of lung disease for individuals and their families, and create a tobacco-free future. Climbs are designed for every type of climber—from beginner to competitor. There are also separate divisions for firefighters and first responders. Find your Climb.
RESEARCH
Lung Association Invests in Next Generation of Scientists
The American Lung Association Research Institute has awarded nine early career researchers with the Catalyst Research Award for their projects to improve the lives of people living with lung disease and lung cancer. The Catalyst Award is a mentored grant providing $50,000 per year for up to two years to promising early career researchers working to advance understanding of lung biology and disease. Funding supports innovative, multidisciplinary projects that explore the mechanisms of lung disease and general lung biology, with the goal of driving new discoveries that can improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for millions of people in the U.S. with lung disease and lung cancer. Read more.
Improving Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis and Care
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition in which there is abnormally high pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. If untreated, PH has a high mortality rate. Unfortunately, the disease is not consistently diagnosed or treated across the United States. To improve PH diagnosis and care, the Lung Association, in collaboration with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, convened an expert panel to review and make recommendations based on recent European and World Symposium PH guidelines. The result is "Guidance to the Guidelines" recently published in the journal Pulmonary Circulation. “People with PH often endure symptoms for months or even years without proper treatment because many of the initial signs and symptoms, such as feeling short of breath or fatigued, are similar to symptoms of other chronic lung diseases,” said Deb Brown, chief mission officer of the American Lung Association. “The ‘Guidance to the Guidelines’ is an integral tool to help healthcare providers who might not be familiar with guideline updates to diagnose PH accurately and quickly to help people living with PH get the correct treatment they need to live longer, more full lives.”
FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS & PROFESSIONALS
NEW! Addressing Tobacco, Vape & Nicotine Use in LGBTQ+ Communities Toolkit
Data shows that the LGBTQ+ community is significantly impacted by tobacco use and exposure. Almost one in seven LGB adults smoke cigarettes compared with about one in nine heterosexual adults, according to the CDC. And LGB adults are nearly three times as likely to use e-cigarettes. In addition,some evidence indicates that individuals who identify as transgender may experience higher rates of tobacco use.
The Lung Association is working with the The Cancer Network to educate and build confidence among public health professionals and community-based individuals who are addressing commercial tobacco use among LGBTQ+ individuals. The result is the Lung Association’s new Addressing Tobacco, Vape & Nicotine Use in LGBTQ+ Communities Toolkit is now available at Lung.org/EmpowerYourCommunity!
For questions, please contact [email protected].
ADVOCACY
New Data Highlights ‘Sharp’ Increase in Nicotine Pouch Use Among High School Students
The American Lung Association is ‘’extremely concerned by the sharp increase in youth use of nicotine pouches,” said Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer following the recent release of the 2025 Monitoring the Future survey data, which found that the 4.4% of high school seniors use nicotine pouches, up from 1.4% in 2023. The data, released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, also revealed that 15.7% of high school seniors vape. “No level of nicotine use is safe,” said Wimmer in a statement. “Nicotine interferes with adolescent brain development, impairs learning and memory and rewires the brain for dependence.” The Lung Association offers broad resources to prevent youth tobacco use and help teens and young adults to quit. Learn more.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Protecting Your Infant from Whooping Cough
Over the last few years, the U.S. has experienced a troubling resurgence of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. During the COVID-19 pandemic, masking and social-distancing dramatically reduced transmission of many respiratory illnesses, and pertussis cases dropped. Unfortunately, since then, pertussis has been on the rise, and this year is no exception. In our new blog, Marietta Vázquez, MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, discusses pertussis, the importance of immunization and recognizing and treating whooping cough as soon as possible, especially in babies under age 1. Read more.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For over 120 years, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference and saving lives. Our efforts impact the more than 35 million people living in the United States with chronic lung disease, and millions more through our pioneering model of education, advocacy and research. Thank you for all you do to help us breathe more easily! Visit Lung.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Blog last updated: January 19, 2026
