Latino Community and Lung Health
Videos en Español!
Climate change and air pollution threaten our health. Another thing they have in common? They are both caused – in part – by emissions from gas- and diesel-powered cars, buses and trucks. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S. would save more than 6,000 lives and $72 billion in health benefits.
This three-minute video describes how indoor air quality impacts your lungs, as well as providing practical tips for improving the indoor air quality in your home.
American Lung Association Programs and Initiatives for Latinos and Spanish Speakers
Representation in research studies is vital to allowing researchers to investigate and discover how lung disease and its treatments work in different people. To help make our clinical work accessible to more people, the American Lung Association is committed to translating many of our study on-boarding and recruitment materials into Spanish. Currently, we are in the process of doing so for our ongoing Lung Health Cohort Research Study and MATCH Study. We’re excited to make these resources available for those helping to shape the diverse makeup of our research studies.
The American Lung Association Better Breathers Network is a nationwide, online patient support program providing lung disease management tools and virtual support groups. Anyone can join the Better Breathers Network. Signing up for the network is free and will provide you direct access to education, support and connection to others also living with chronic lung disease. Additionally, there are resources to support our Spanish-speaking Better Breathers Club members and their caregivers. From phone and online support tools, to educational videos and self-management action plans, the American Lung Association has numerous assets that have been translated into Spanish. Access these resources.
Haga clic AQUI para accesso recursos en Español sobre el salud pulmonar.
Youth Cessation
The commercial tobacco industry has targeted Hispanic/Latino communities in ways that have impacted generations; these predatory companies have donated to influential community groups, universities and colleges, and scholarship programs supporting Hispanic/Latino people. The tobacco industry has also provided significant support to Hispanic/Latino political organizations, cultural events, and the Hispanic/Latino art community.1 The prevalence of smoking is more than twice as high among U.S. – — born Hispanic women (10%) compared to foreign-born Hispanic women (3%).2 According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, Hispanic Middle School Students reported highest rates of every using e-cigarettes, compared to their peers (8.4% compared to 7.5% amongst non-Hispanic White students, and 7.0% non-Hispanic Black students).3 We know that addressing tobacco use in Hispanic/Latino communities is important because 67% of Hispanic/Latino individuals who smoke want to quit smoking; yet are less likely to receive advice to quit from a healthcare professional, than non-Hispanic white adults who smoked,4 and Hispanic/Latino adults who smoke are less likely to use any evidence-based treatment (counseling or FDA-approved medication) to quit than non-Hispanic white adults, though use of treatment varied by Hispanic subgroup.5
The Lung Association’s Addressing Tobacco Use in Hispanic/Latino Communities Toolkit will feature a variety of culturally competent resources, trainings, videos, and other relevant materials in English and in Spanish, and will be focused on three key objectives:
- Build Competence by learning about systemic racism and its impact on Hispanic and Latino communities
- Encourage Connectedness by learning how to be an authentic ally and building better community partnerships
- Empower to Act with materials, resources, and trainings to equip toolkit users to help improve their lung.
This toolkit will be available for download in Spring 2023! In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the other toolkits and resources at Lung.org/FFS Please feel free to reach out to FreedomFromSmoking@Lung.org.
