TOP NEWS
Dr. Fauci Adds Star Power to Lungcast™
“When this is all over – which it will be, this will end – we need to look back and dissect, do a postmortem, and figure out what could we have done different to prevent such a degree of morbidity and mortality in our country.” This is one compelling statement, among many, that Dr. Anthony Fauci makes during his appearance on our latest Lungcast™ episode. The world-renowned immunologist joins our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Al Rizzo, to share vital insights into COVID19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, antibody development and future pandemic preparedness. In partnership with HCPLive, Lungcast is our monthly podcast series offering a deep dive on the greatest topics of respiratory health. To listen to the full interview, visit: Lung.org/lungcast.
Working for an Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine:
On Friday September 4, the Lung Association submitted comments to the Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine on its Discussion Draft for the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine. This framework was developed at the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. Over just a 3.5-day comment period, our policy team worked closely with staff from our health promotion and research teams to analyze the proposal and draft and review detailed comments. Our response reflects the Lung Association’s commitment to protecting healthcare professionals and patients with lung disease, as well as the outsized impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people of color as a result of systemic racism.
COVID-19 Resources:
We are here for you during the COVID-19 pandemic with trusted information and resources to help us all get through this crisis together. Find the latest at Lung.org/covid19. Recent additions include our most recent COVID-19 Town Hall Series and updates on our COVID-19 Action Initiative. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels and share these timely resources to your network.
Protect Your Health During Wildfires and other Natural Disasters!
Wildfires, flooding, hurricanes and other natural events can create unhealthy air, especially for people with lung disease. We can help you protect your health. The Lung Association has resources help you respond to unexpected events that can threaten the air quality in your community and your home.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Support Us Through a Virtual Event:
At a time when our lungs are at extreme risk, your support is more important than ever! Because of COVID-19, many of our crucial fundraising events, like walks, run/walks and stair climbs, have had to go virtual. Your participation in a Lung Association virtual fundraising event is critical so that we can continue our lifesaving work. Check out our list of events that have gone virtual.
NEW 2021 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar
Every year, thousands of firefighters from across the country participate in our Fight For Air Climb, to raise awareness and funds to support our vision of a world free of lung disease. In August we launched our inaugural 2021 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar for presale to celebrate these firefighters and our mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease! Pre-order your calendar (they make great holiday gifts) and learn more at Lung.org/calendar.
LUNG CANCER
LUNG FORCE Hero: This is a very special time for Mariann C because October 2020 is the time when she can celebrate being cancer free for five years, thanks to new treatments that weren’t even available when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015.
Save the Date for the Virtual LUNG FORCE Expos
Mark your calendar for December 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET and May 18 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT for the American Lung Association’s virtual nationwide LUNG FORCE Expos. The virtual healthcare professional programs will provide an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming trends, resources and research around lung health, lung cancer and COVID-19. Continuing education credits will be available for RNs, RRTs, and Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). Registration information is coming soon! Questions? E-mail us at [email protected].
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Protect Kids’ Health at School
Many children are returning or have returned to school. This can be challenging during this time of pandemic, especially if your child has asthma. We have tools to help! A recording of our webcast “Back to School with Asthma in the Time of COVID-19” is now available. A wide array of other school-aged children’s asthma programs are available virtually, including our Asthma Friendly Schools online module, facilitator training and program opportunities for Kickin' Asthma, Open Airways for Schools and much more. We also have online tools to reduce youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, including End the Youth Vaping Epidemic, Vape-Free Schools Initiative and more.
RESEARCH
Latest Published Research: A member of our Research Team, Seyed Javad Moghaddam, M.D., recently published in Carcinogenesis: Integrative Cancer Research. The manuscript, entitled “Interplay between Estrogen and Stat3/NF-κB-driven Immunomodulation in Lung Cancer,” delved into lung cancer with KRAS mutation and how sex may affect pro-tumor immune response. In fact, data presented in the paper suggests that estrogen suppresses disease progression by inhibiting the immune responses that function in favor of tumor.
HEALTHY AIR
“Clean Air for All: 50 Years of the Clean Air Act” Symposium:
On September 29, the Lung Association, along with American University’s Center for Environmental Policy and Center for Environmental Filmmaking, held a virtual, half-day “Clean Air for All” Symposium to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Air Act, and look toward the next 50 years of this lifesaving public health law. The symposium highlighted the progress made, and the obstacles that remain, when it comes to ensuring healthy air for all Americans. The recordings of the Symposium panels will be posted here once they are final.
TOBACCO
E-Cigarettes, Most Cigars and Other Tobacco Products Required to Submit Applications to FDA on September 9:
As the result of the lawsuit the Lung Association and our partners filed against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), premarket applications for almost all “deemed” tobacco products were due to FDA on September 9. In August, we submitted a document containing a series of principles to the FDA and urged the agency to adhere to the principles when evaluating the individual premarket applications. The agency has one year to review each application, or the product must be removed from the marketplace. Any product for which an application was not filed was supposed to be immediately removed from the marketplace.
That same day, the CDC and FDA released its 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey (our statement). It showed an overall decline in youth e-cigarette use (good news!) but it also underscores that kids follow the flavors: the use of menthol Juul increased (the main flavor left on the market) and disposable e-cigarettes skyrocketed 1,000% among high school students and 400% among middle school students.
Each Breath Blog
The American Lung Association is committed to bridging health disparities. As a part of recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting a local allergist and National Medical Spokesperson for the American Lung Association, Dr. Juanita Mora, who has used our Buy 2, Give 2 mask campaign in helping the hard-hit Latino community navigate this pandemic.
Your support is more important than ever!
COVID-19 has given a new and more urgent meaning to our catch phrase, When You Can’t Breathe, Nothing Else Matters®. Because of your support, we are conducting research to discover new ways to prevent, treat and even cure lung diseases like COVID-19. However, other lung diseases haven’t taken a time-out. The American Lung Association is also hard at work addressing lung cancer, asthma, COPD and more. Your support makes our diverse and lifesaving work possible. Thank you for all you do to help during this most critical time!
Blog last updated: August 21, 2023
