Reducing the Lung Health Burden of the Climate Crisis

A Public Health Intervention in Phoenix, Arizona

Reducing the Lung Health Burden of the Climate Crisis is a public health intervention designed to decrease the negative impact that poor air quality has on lung health and address the associated health disparities faced by marginalized communities. The American Lung Association, in collaboration with CVS Health Foundation, is working with healthcare providers, partnering organizations and individuals to support people with lung disease who are facing health complications due to climate change. This intervention is being implemented in Phoenix, Arizona (Maricopa County), as it is one of most polluted cities in the United States for ozone and particulate pollution.

16% of Maricopa County adults have asthma or COPD
8% of Maricopa County children have pediatric asthma
9th worst metropolitan area for annual particle pollution in State of the Air 2024

Climate change is worsening air quality issues, as record heatwaves, droughts and wildfires become commonplace. Exposure to unhealthy air causes complications for the 34 million people in the U.S. who are living with lung disease and puts millions more at risk of developing chronic illness. To decrease the negative impact of poor air quality on lung health, the Lung Association created an intervention to:

  1. Equip healthcare providers with tools to improve care of patients with lung disease during poor air quality days.
  2. Empower people with lung disease to take steps that reduce their risk of health complications during days with unhealthy air.
  3. Utilize local air quality data to develop education programs and promote policies to protect lung health.

Key elements of this project include increased access to lung health education and distribution of air quality sensors. Air quality sensors measure the amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the environment and provide data that can be used to identify at-risk populations and advocate for cleaner air.

Resources

Patients & Caregivers
  • Better Breathers Club
    Group for individuals with lung disease to learn better ways to cope while receiving support from other’s living through a similar experience.
  • Patient & Caregiver Network
    Online support program providing timely education, lung disease management tools and connection to others living with lung disease and their caregivers.
  • Lung HelpLine
    Free information and support from lung health experts over the phone and through live chat.
  • Lung Health Education Series
    Lung HelpLine Navigators offer free one-on-one specialized programs that include understanding your lung health condition and recognizing early warning signs, building your support team, taking medications properly, using tools for daily self-management along with improving lifestyle changes and following good health habits.
Community Resources

Page last updated: October 30, 2024

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