TOP NEWS
Improving Early Diagnosis, Treatment for People Living with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and often under-detected disease characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs due to obstruction in the small arteries. The American Lung Association, with support from Merck, is launching a new educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about the symptoms of PAH to help at-risk individuals receive a prompt and accurate diagnosis, and to educate people with PAH and their caregivers about available treatments and ways to manage their symptoms. Visit Lung.org/pah for more information.
New CDC Guidelines Recommend Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccines for Adults Ages 50 and Older
We’re joining the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to raise awareness among U.S. adults, ages 50 and older, about the importance of receiving a pneumococcal vaccine to help lower the risk for pneumonia and related complications. Older adults, and people with lung disease and other chronic medical conditions or risk factors, are at increased risk of serious disease or death from pneumococcal pneumonia. In October, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowered its recommendation for adults to receive an initial pneumococcal vaccine, from 65 to 50. Visit Lung.org to learn more.
Healthcare Professionals: Join Us at the Asthma Educator Institute: January 7, 8 and 9
Join us for the virtual Asthma Educator Institute, to be held January 7, 8 and 9, 2025. This course is designed for frontline healthcare professionals looking to implement asthma guidelines-based care or prepare for the National Board for Respiratory Care-Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) exam. The Institute—to be held from 10:00 am–4:30 pm CT each day—will feature expert speakers and participants can earn CME and CEU credits. Register before December 6, 2024, to receive our early-bird rate. To register, visit Lung.org. Additional questions? Email asthmaeducatorinstitute@lung.org.
Open Enrollment Underway for Healthcare.gov and Medicare
Open enrollment for HealthCare.gov starts on November 1, and in most states, runs through January 15, 2025. This year’s enrollment period offers significant opportunities for more people to secure coverage as premium tax credits are still available to reduce costs, and four out of five enrollees can find plans that cost less than $10 per month with assistance. In addition, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients can now access health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For more information, including how to enroll, visit www.Lung.org/openenrollment.
In addition, Medicare open enrollment—allowing everyone with Medicare to make changes to their prescription drug or health plans for coverage beginning January 1, 2025—continues through December 7. And thanks to a new law that goes into effect on January 1, people enrolled in Medicare Part D will pay no more than $2,000 a year for prescription medications. In addition, seniors who opt into a new payment plan during Open Enrollment can pay their prescription costs in monthly payments spread out over the year. Visit Lung.org/medicare to learn more.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Calling all runners! Earlier this year, the Lung Association fielded its first ever charity race team in an international event. Eight individuals completed the BMW Berlin Marathon as members of the Powered by Lungs Race Team, spreading awareness of the Lung Association and raising over $36,000 to support our critical work. We’re now recruiting runners for our next international event, the Paris Marathon. Please reach out to learn more or apply to join our team!
PATIENT SUPPORT
Cessation Resources for GASO on November 21
The Great American Smokeout (GASO) in 2024 will be held on Thursday, November 21. The GASO is an annual event hosted by the American Cancer Society to encourage people to quit smoking and promote the benefits of a smokefree life. This annual tobacco awareness holiday provides an excellent opportunity to motivate individuals to break free from tobacco and nicotine addiction and improve their lung health by highlighting our evidence-based proven-effective resources to support their quit attempt.
For a hyperlinked list of all resources available for youth, parents, schools, adults, healthcare professionals and youth educators, email FreedomFromSmoking@Lung.org. Questions? Contact Jennifer.Folkenroth@Lung.org.
RESEARCH UPDATE
Meet the Donors Fueling Lung Health Research
We’re proud to spotlight the inspiring supporters who make groundbreaking lung health research possible. Our newest webpage, "Meet the Donors," features the stories and commitment behind these generous benefactors, who often donate in memory of a loved one and continue to support our goal of a world without lung disease for many years. Read their stories and get inspired by their impact!
EACH BREATH BLOG
Why Biomarker Testing is So Vital
John considered himself relatively healthy when he received a serious shoulder injury at work that required him to see his healthcare provider. In a new blog, “’It Saved My Life:’ Why Biomarker Testing is Vital,’” John says a CT scan found something much more serious—a tennis ball-sized mass in his left lung. From there, things moved quickly—a biopsy revealed a very aggressive cancer, followed by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, with few results. Fortunately, a biomarker test determined that John had ROS1-positive lung cancer, and soon after, he began a specific treatment for that type of cancer. “It was like boom, suddenly everything changed,” said John. “I took the medication and six weeks later the cancer was almost completely gone.” To learn more about how early diagnosis, biomarker testing and targeted treatment can save lives, visit Lung.org/beat-lung-cancer.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Because of your support, we have made 120 years of impact by saving lives. Our work directly touches the more than 35 million people living in the U.S. with chronic lung disease and supports millions more with 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: November 18, 2024
