Top News
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, including important information on how to protect yourself and manage your lung disease. Recent additions include our Summer Town Hall series and updates on our COVID-19 Action Initiative. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels for the latest and share these timely resources to your network.
Support the Lung Association Through a Virtual Event: Your support is critical during this time of crisis when our lung health is at extreme risk from COVID-19. 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.
Stand Up For Clean Air: The Lung Association's new Stand Up For Clean Air initiative is shining a spotlight on the steps everyone can take to improve air quality and address climate change. Steps include taking the pledge to stand up for clean air and sharing your own clean air story. We're celebrating the success of the Clean Air Act at 50 years and setting our sights on ensuring healthy air for all to breathe. Healthy air is also important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as you can learn from our virtual Town Hall on Air Quality and COVID-19. Learn more about the Stand Up For Clean Air Initiative.
LUNG CANCER
LUNG FORCE Hero: Monica P. shares the inspiring story of her sister Courtney, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at only 42. Courtney was the mother of two and a fit, former star college basketball player, and high school state golf champion. At the time, she was also Monica’s business partner. Read more.
RESEARCH
WORDS TO KNOW: Correlation vs. Causation: Correlation is a statistical technique that can show whether and how strongly pairs of variables are related. Causation is the capacity of one variable to influence another. If there is causation between two variables, they will be correlated; but if two variables are correlated, there may not be a causal link between them as a third factor may be driving the relationship.
MEET THE RESEARCH TEAM: Andrew Bryant, M.D. : High blood pressure in the lungs, known as pulmonary hypertension, complicates the care of many patients with chronic lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This results in frequent hospitalization and an increased risk of death. Dr. Andrew Bryant of the University of Florida is conducting research on the role of myeloid cells in the development of pulmonary hypertension, which could lead to a novel target for treatment.
HEALTH RESOURCES and SUPPORT
Back to School with Asthma in the Time of COVID-19 –Join the American Lung Association on August 4, 2 p.m. CT, for a one-hour webcast on children with asthma returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics to be covered during this event include: Personal Protective Equipment, Asthma Medicines (nebulizers versus metered dose inhalers with spacers), Parent Communication with Providers in Advance of the School Year, Request MDI with Spacer/Valved Holding Chamber, and Virtual Implementation Opportunities with American Lung Association school-aged Asthma Education Programs. Register online.
MyShot Flu Campaign Wins Big: This May, our MyShot Flu Campaign received the prestigious Gold SABRE award for Marketing to Seniors – a premier award for the communication industry. The campaign shared the real stories of individuals impacted by the flu. Over 70% of individuals over the age of 50 have one or more chronic medical conditions like lung and heart disease, and diabetes which can make the flu more severe. We look forward to continuing this awareness campaign with our partner Sanofi Pasteur this Fall.
HEALTHY AIR
Sign Our Petition to Protect Air Quality: "State of the Air" 2020 found that nearly half of Americans lived in counties that had unhealthy ozone or particle pollution. The science is clear: the nation needs stronger limits on ozone and particle pollution to safeguard health. Every family has the right to breathe healthy air – and the right to know when air pollution levels are unhealthy. Tell the Environmental Protection Agency to follow the science and set stronger limits on dangerous air pollution.
TOBACCO
Tobacco Cessation Coverage in State Exchanges – A Discussion: Join the American Lung Association on Thursday, July 30 at 12 p.m. CT to learn about tobacco cessation coverage in the State insurance exchanges. This presentation will present new data on how state exchange plans are covering tobacco cessation treatment. Additionally, the Lung Association will be releasing a report featuring these data and their implications. Register here.
Each Breath Blog
A Saharan dust storm of historic proportions recently crossed the Atlantic Ocean and is impacting the U.S. Will you be affected by this storm containing 182 million tons of dust from the western Sahara? Learn more in our blog “When the Dust Settles: How Does the Saharan Dust Storm Affect Lung Health?”
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. Other lung diseases haven’t taken a time-out just because there’s a new disease in town. The American Lung Association is also hard at work addressing lung cancer, asthma, COPD and more. It’s your support that makes our diverse and lifesaving work possible. Thank you for all you do to help during this most important time!
Blog last updated: August 21, 2023
