TOP NEWS
May is Asthma Awareness Month: Learn More, Access Our New Resources and Take Action!
This month, we’re supporting the 26.8 million people in the U.S. living with asthma by addressing asthma misinformation and spotlighting our comprehensive educational programs and resources designed to empower people to effectively manage their health. These include new resources for healthcare providers, school health professionals and parents. Visit our Asthma Awareness Month web page for more information.
We’re also calling on Congress to restore the National Asthma Control Program (NACP) and protect Medicaid. The NACP, which provided critical state funding for asthma monitoring and resources, was eliminated during the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restructuring. One in five people in the U.S. rely on Medicaid to access healthcare.
You can help. Contact your Congressional representatives and urge them to save the NACP and protect Medicaid coverage and programs vital to people with asthma.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
RESEARCH
Lung Association-Supported Research Targets the Lungs, not the Virus
Influenza is a major cause of serious illness and even death, as the flu often leads to pneumonia, especially in children. An innovative research project funded by the American Lung Association Research Institute aims to develop new treatments for influenza that protect against co-infections, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The research is highlighted, along with three other Lung Association-supported studies, in the recently published third edition of The Respiratory Report, in partnership with our media partner, HCPLive.
ADVOCACY
Top Health and Medical Groups Call on Congress to Reinstate Lifesaving NIH Funding
Unprecedented funding freezes, termination of approved grants and other administrative actions have slowed or halted lung health research, both funded by and at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In response, the Lung Association recently joined 13 leading patient advocacy, medical and scientific organizations focused on respiratory health in sending a letter to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee asking its members to restore this vital funding, to return NIH “to the world’s premier biomedical and basic science standard.” Read the full letter here.
Spreading the Word on Medicaid's Vital Role in Lung Care and Health
Congress continues to debate a budget plan that would gut funding for Medicaid, which currently provides healthcare coverage for almost one in five people in the United States. Recently, Lung Association National Spokesperson Dr. Christy Sadreameli (left) and LUNG FORCE Hero Lysa Buonanno conducted 15 broadcast media interviews in our Washington, D.C., studio on the urgent need to protect Medicaid, especially for individuals living with lung cancer and lung disease.
You can help us by asking your Congressional representative to protect Medicaid.
Congress Reintroduces the SOAR Act
The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act has been reintroduced in separate bills in the U.S. House and Senate. The Lung Association has long supported this legislation, initially introduced in 2024, which would remove oxygen from Medicare competitive bidding and provide additional protection to the 1.5 million people in the U.S. who need supplemental oxygen. For too long, patients who require supplemental oxygen have not had access to oxygen appropriate for their medical and quality of life needs, especially individuals who require liquid oxygen. Read more.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Participation in Lung Health Cohort Research Study Leads to Early Cancer Diagnosis
Cindy was a healthy, 35-year-old woman with no symptoms of cancer when she joined the American Lung Association’s Lung Health Cohort Study, a research study with the goal of following 4,000 young, healthy adults for approximately five years to start identifying risk factors for lung diseases. As part of the study, Cindy provided health information and received a low-dose CT scan of her lungs. Surprisingly, the tests revealed stage 1 adenocarcinoma, a non-small cell lung cancer and one of the most common primary lung cancers. Because the cancer was caught early, Cindy only needed surgery. Today, she is grateful that participation in the study resulted in an early cancer diagnosis. She also urges everyone to stay vigilant about their health and symptoms.
Read Cindy’s story here. To learn more about the Lung Health Cohort Research Study visit Lung.org/lung-study.
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: May 13, 2025
