About Our Research

Medical breakthroughs pioneered by American Lung Association researchers have reduced the burden of lung disease on patients and their loved ones, allowing them to live healthier, more active lives.

More than a Century of Progress

For over a century, the American Lung Association has funded thousands of critical lung disease research projects. These projects include examining the cause and prevention of lung diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, COPD and lung cancer, as well as how to manage and eradicate lung disease. Advancements in medical and scientific research to move us closer to a world free of lung disease, through basic, translational and clinical research.

More than 4 in 10 Americans live with unhealthy air, and more than 33 million live with chronic lung diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer. In fact, lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. But research can—and doe— save lives.

For over a century, the American Lung Association has advanced medical and scientific research to move us closer to a world free of lung disease, through basic, translational and clinical research.

To put it simply, basic research is where all research begins to find new ideas, principles and theories that form the basis of scientific development that leads to exciting breakthroughs.

Translational research, also known as “bench – to- bedside” moves theory into medical practice and health outcomes.

Clinical research is then conducted to ensure that a new treatment, device, product or procedure is safe and successful.

It takes all of the pieces of this puzzle, working together to save lives through research. We’ve seen many successes, like our funded researcher Dr. Mary Ellen Avery who made a discovery in the lungs of babies with respiratory distress syndrome that saved an estimated 800,000 children over 50 years following her discovery and led her to win the national medal of science.

And when our Airways Clinical Research Centers discovered that the flu vaccine was safe for people with asthma, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their recommendations so that all individuals receive the flu vaccine. This life-changing discovery is estimated to avoid 104,000 hospitalizations every year if everyone with asthma got the flu shot.

It takes all of us to work to save lives through research. Together we can watch as the number of lives saved continues to grow and we get one step closer to a world without lung disease.

Medical breakthroughs pioneered by American Lung Association researchers and their colleagues worldwide have reduced the burden of lung disease on patients and their loved ones, allowing them to live healthier, more active lives.

Since 1915, our researchers have made significant contributions to the fight against lung disease by revolutionizing treatment and unlocking secrets of the body's immune system. We have funded breakthroughs in the fight against tuberculosis, identified genes that cause the development of lung cancer and cystic fibrosis, and developed new ways to treat respiratory distress syndrome.

Meet Our Current Researchers

Our mission is sustained by the innovative lung disease research projects we fund each year. See the scientists poised to make breakthroughs that could improve prevention, detection and treatment of lung disease.

Advancing Research

Our annual publication illustrates how lung disease research is helping improve lives and making a difference for all those who have been touched by lung disease.

Funding & Impact

120 Years of research funding
$221M+ Invested in research since 2000
1700+ Projects funded

"The way in which we have the healthcare of tomorrow is to do research today. We need to tackle those major problems that seem intractable, but will be mitigated by discoveries that we make today. There’s no way to do this research without funding, and the vision that our American Lung Association supporters have to bring together a workforce to tackle these major problems is crucial. There can be no more important work." 

—Steven Dubinett, MD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, and Professor of Medicine, UC.

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Page last updated: August 7, 2024

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