TOP NEWS
Help Us Protect Critical Health Programs
Congress recently approved a budget plan that sets up drastic cuts to Medicaid and clean air and health programs. In a statement, American Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer called the proposed cuts “life-threatening for children, older adults, people with disabilities and workers.” The U.S. Senate and House of Representative votes came within days of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementing sweeping cuts and staff layoffs, including the elimination of critical asthma, tobacco prevention, tuberculosis and other lung health programs.
On April 9, the Lung Association welcomed advocates from 45 states to Capitol Hill for LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day to urge Congress to protect Medicaid as well as biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the lifesaving public health infrastructure at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (both part of HHS and greatly impacted by the layoffs there). Advocates included lung cancer survivors and individuals who have lost loved ones to this disease.
You can help us protect lifesaving lung health programs:
- Act Now by contacting Congressional representatives and urging them to stop cuts to Medicaid and clean air programs, and to protect vital health agencies and staff.
- Learn more about the budget reconciliation process currently underway, and what’s at stake for lung health.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
We’re Turning the Nation Turquoise in Support of Lung Cancer Awareness
During Lung Cancer Action Week, May 5-11, we’re again turning the nation turquoise—our LUNG FORCE signature color—to raise awareness about lung cancer. LUNG FORCE unites those impacted by lung cancer—the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.—to raise awareness about the disease and to support education, lifesaving screening and research.
- Visit LUNGFORCE.org to learn how you can support our Turquoise Takeover
- Find a LUNG FORCE Walk or Run/Walk near you.
Support the Lung Association at the Sydney Marathon
You can make an impact on lung health and clean air while pursuing your passion in the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia. We have a few remaining spots on our 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon Race Team.
YOUR HEALTH
May is Asthma Awareness Month: Take Action for Better Breathing
Asthma Awareness Month is around the corner and our information hub is brimming with valuable resources for people living with asthma and their caregivers. Here, families and professionals can find effective strategies to support adults and school-age children living with asthma, ensuring they are well prepared for any asthma emergency. We’ll also be adding updates on events, new trainings opportunities and much more. Read more.
RESEARCH
A Sincere Thank You to Our Scientific Peer Review Committee
This month, the American Lung Association is hosting two major research review meetings in Chicago, bringing together 90 volunteer scientific experts from leading institutions nationwide. These experts are reviewing proposals and recommending projects for funding. We received 246 applications this year, a 38% increase from last year, across nine grant programs. Thanks to donor support, the American Lung Association Research Institute is funding 139 research projects, including our network of 35 Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) conducting clinical trials in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Through our Accelerator Program, we’re partnering with institutions like Texas Biomedical Research Institute to pursue a universal flu vaccine and with the LUNGevity Foundation to improve early lung cancer detection.
As federal research funding faces severe cuts, our investment in innovative lung health research is more critical than ever.
ADVOCACY
Senator Murkowski, Congresswoman Kelly Honored by the Lung Association for Their Efforts to Improve Lung Health
During Advocacy Day on April 9, the Lung Association presented its Lung Health Research Champion Award to Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and its Public Health Champion Award to Representative Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) for their leadership and support in efforts to improve lung health. Read more.
Don’t Let the EPA Dismantle Clean Air Rules
For over five decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked to clean up the air we breathe, most notably through the implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act. More recently, with your help, we pushed the EPA to further reduce emissions, improve air quality and save lives by helping to mitigate climate change. However, many of these protections are now at risk as new EPA leadership seeks to rollback lifesaving standards—on particle pollution, car and truck emissions, greenhouse gas standards, and stronger limits on mercury and other air toxins.
- Please call ask Congress to help ensure continued funding for these protections.
- Join the Lung Association’s Lung Action Network
Look for Our National Air Quality Report Card Next Week!
With clean air protections under threat, our “State of the Air” report has never been more important or timely. Visit Lung.org on April 23 to learn about the air quality where you live, and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone can breathe healthy air.
Federal Housing Finance Commission Backs Away from Radon Protection for Tenants
On March 26, Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) new Director, William J. Pulte terminated FHFA’s 2022 directive requiring mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to adopt and implement radon policies for multifamily properties, saying the policies “added time, expense, and operational complexity.” This is a reversal of the agency’s stance when the directive was adopted that “the health and safety of tenants is a top priority for FHFA and the Enterprises, which is why we are committed to maintaining strong and robust due diligence requirements for identifying radon to help better protect tenants at risk of radon exposure.” Termination of this directive has the potential to increase the risk of radon-induced lung cancer for hundreds of thousands of tenants across the United States.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Living a Better Life with COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is both treatable and often preventable, yet it remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Our new blog explains how our COPD for Life health education program is helping individuals living with COPD to experience better health outcomes and improve life quality. This includes one-on-one support from our Lung Health Navigators—registered nurses and respiratory therapists available to speak with and help individuals throughout their journey—and our simplified self-management tools, including our simplified COPD Action Plan, Learning to Live with COPD workbook and COPD Basics Booklet. Read more.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For over 120 years, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference and saving lives. Our efforts impact the more than 35 million people living in the United States with chronic lung disease, and millions more through our pioneering model of education, advocacy and research. Thank you for all you do to help us all breathe easier! Visit Lung.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Blog last updated: April 11, 2025
