FY2021 Annual Report Highlights an Extraordinary Year:
Thanks to the generous support of our individuals, families, foundations and businesses, our fiscal year 2021 was an extraordinary year to say the least! It was the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it became clear that America needed the American Lung Association more than ever. Read more about how your support helped to protect lung health through this very challenging year!
New Study: Young E-Cigarette Users Develop Wheezing, Other Symptoms: A new study funded by the American Lung Association reveals that young adults who used e-cigarettes were more likely to develop respiratory issues within one year of vaping than those who do not use e-cigarettes. The study, titled, “Association of Electronic Cigarette Use with Respiratory Symptom Development among US Young Adults,” will be published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The findings of this study underscore how important the Lung Association’s work at protecting the public from e-cigarettes is. Learn more.
Celebrating National Women’s History Month: Each year, Women’s History Month is celebrated during the month of March to honor women’s longstanding and invaluable contributions in American history. For more than a century, the American Lung Association has worked to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, and much of our success wouldn't have been possible without the help of the many inspirational women leaders who have advanced our mission along the way. Visit our updated web page, where we have historic information around the women’s history month, a spotlight series of trailblazing women in public health, facts and figures on women’s lung health, and more.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic may appear to be slowing down, but it’s still important to know what to do to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Keep up with the latest through our COVID-19 information pages. Please GIVE to the COVID-19 Action Fund so we can help end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory viruses. Find the latest at Lung.org/covid19 and be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels and share these timely resources to your network.
Listen to Lungcast™: In February, we aired two Lungcast™ episodes for Black History Month. The first episode features internationally acclaimed sickle cell disease expert Dr. Ify Osunkwo to address stigma and mistrust in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Esteemed pediatric pulmonologist Dr. LeRoy Graham joins us for the second episode to discuss the disparities that continue to exist in childhood asthma. Tune into both interviews, plus past episodes, at: Lung.org/lungcast..
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Spring is Almost Here - Time to Climb! Now is the time to join one of our Fight for Air Climbs, or another fundraising event near you. When you participate, you make a positive impact of those affected by lung disease by raising funds for research, education and advocacy. Every dollar raised moves closer to healthy lungs for everyone. Register today.
LUNG FORCE Walk & Run/Walk season is almost here! Join us as we walk and run together to raise awareness and funds to defeat lung cancer and support health. Register for an event near you.
LUNG CANCER
Eligibility Expands for Lung Cancer Screening
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has expanded its lung cancer screening eligibility guidelines, and now more than double the number of Black and Brown Americans are eligible for screening. In addition, close to twice as many women are also eligible for screening under the new guidelines. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover or will cover screening for eligible individuals. The American Lung Association is working to raise awareness of lifesaving screening with a helpful Q&A. Learn more at Lung.org/screening.
Unrestricted grant support for this educational initiative provided by AstraZeneca.
RESEARCH
Amos Foundation Award
The American Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society, and The American College of Chest Physicians have partnered to support physician scientists targeting lung disease by sponsoring a scholar in pulmonary and critical care medicine in the prestigious Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP), a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative. Developed to increase the number of faculty from historically marginalized backgrounds pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, or nursing, the AMFDP invites applicants to apply each year to help shape medicine into a more equitable, more accessible practice. Learn more.
PATIENT SUPPORT
COPD Educator Course for Healthcare Professionals to support Patients: The next COPD Educator Course is set for April 13, 20 and 27. This three partial-day virtual professional education course provides healthcare professionals continuing education hours and a thorough overview of COPD information to provide guidelines-based care. This course includes practical information healthcare professionals can use in their work with COPD patients. Specific attention is given to COPD Diagnosis and Management, Disease Overview, Smoking Cessation, Spirometry, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Oxygen Therapy, Patient Activation, Education and Adherence, Medications and Delivery Devices, Reducing COPD Readmissions, Palliative Care, Hospice and End of Life Issues. Register here.
HEALTHY AIR
Tell EPA: Protect Kids’ Health from Toxic Air Pollution
Power plants emit mercury and other toxic air pollutants that can cause lifelong harm. EPA has rules on the books called the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that have helped clean up these dangerous emissions. EPA is now taking comments from the public on these standards and may consider making them even stronger. Add your name in support of cleaning up dangerous air pollution from power plants.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Why Everyone Should Care About Methane Gas Pollution - Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. Though it breaks down more quickly, methane traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide, making it a major contributor to climate change.
You make our mission possible!
Because of your support, we can conduct research to discover new ways to prevent, treat and even cure lung disease like COVID-19. We can help keep kids from smoking or vaping and help smokers quit. We can provide information and resources that improve quality of life for people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD. Thanks to your support, we can continue to clean up the air we all share, and so much more. Thank you for all you do to help us all breathe easier!
Blog last updated: August 21, 2023
