COVID-19 Action Initiative
The American Lung Association's $25M initiative to end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory virus pandemics.In our first year, the American Lung Association has raised $6.5M+ of our $25M commitment to end COVID-19. Funds were allocated for immediate impact and long-term health outcomes:
Research
$3 million total funding commitment to date, including 24 grants.
Education
Reached over 120 million people with trusted COVID-19 information.
Community
Engaged over 5,000 community partners across the country, donating more than 300,000 masks.
The COVID-19 Action Initiative is investing in research, education, advocacy and coalition.
Expanding Medical Research
In addition to our regular investment in research, we were able to provide funding for COVID-19 projects, including:
- 24 COVID-19 Grants—which range from molecular analysis of antibody responses to reducing community spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities.
- Enabling the Airways Clinical Research Centers to support COVID-19 research (LEEP).
- Support of NHLBI—Partnering with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to fund two research projects around the phenomenon of Long COVID.
- Lung Health Cohort Supplement, aiming to determine the impact of sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors on COVID-19 infection.
Public Health Measures
Since April 2020, the Lung Association has distributed more than 300,000 masks to communities in need, through local community partners (including faith organizations), public
health partners, public housing authorities, county health departments and health centers across the United States. We also created a dynamic vaccine tracker webpage and FAQ page, serving over 22,000 people per month.
Advocating for Good
Successfully advocated for legislation that improved coverage of COVID-19 tests and vaccines. Advocated to address gaps in COVID-19 vaccine coverage with greater coverage for COVID-19 vaccinations and supporting the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act.
COVID-19 Action Initiative Programs
Increasing Vaccination Rates for Youth and Adolescents
Get insights and resources from our COVID-19 Action Initiative Virtual Roundtable on ways community leaders can support vaccination in children.
Download now
COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
We are proud to work with our partners to provide culturally relevant, science-based, factual guides about COVID-19 vaccination.
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COVID-19 Advisory Panel
Experts in science, medicine, public health, behavioral sciences and law will convene to help address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19 Research Awards
COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Research Award helping to advance research against emerging respiratory pathogens.
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COVID-19 Citizen Science Study
In partnership with Northwestern Medicine and University of California-San Francisco, we've joined the COVID-19 Citizen Science smartphone-based effort.
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Long COVID Support Community
Living with Long COVID is our new online support community for people to connect with others who have lingering or delayed symptoms from COVID-19. Sign up on Inspire.com to get started.
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#Act4Impact
Watch our star-studded benefit, hosted by QUEEN LATIFAH, on demand and support the COVID-19 Action Initiative.
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Thank You To Our Partners
Presenting Sponsor
Loann Crane 
Stay Informed
View information and resources about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including symptoms, treatment and FAQs.
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Page last updated: November 18, 2022
