TOP NEWS
New Partnership with Leonard Nimoy’s Daughter Aims to Raise COPD Awareness
Leonard Nimoy, best known for his role as Spock in Star Trek, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2013, and the disease took his life two years later. The American Lung Association has partnered with The Nimoy Knight Foundation —founded by Nimoy’s daughter, Julie, and her husband, David Knight— and Health Point Productions to help promote the new documentary, "Remembering Leonard Nimoy: His Life, Legacy and Battle with COPD.” The collaboration aims to raise awareness about the link between smoking and COPD, a preventable, treatable disease. More than 11 million people in the United States are living with COPD, and 18 million are potentially living with the disease, suggesting underdiagnosis.
American and Canadian Lung Associations Again Join Forces to Reduce the Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
With the wildfire season well underway, the American Lung Association and Canadian Lung Association are again collaborating to raise awareness about the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, educate people on how to protect themselves, and promote strategies to mitigate the occurrence of catastrophic wildfires. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are contributing to more severe droughts, the rapid spread of forest and grass fires, and a marked increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires in both countries.
- Learn how to protect yourself before, during and after a wildfire.
- Read our new webpage: “How to Wear a Mask”
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Find a Fall LUNG FORCE Walk or Walk/Run Near You
Registration is open for our fall LUNG FORCE Walks and Walk/Runs—raising money for lung cancer education, advocacy and research—beginning early September. The events are held at iconic locations throughout the country, including Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre near Denver and the Detroit and Cleveland zoos. Find a fall LUNG FORCE Walk or Run/Walk near you.
RESEARCH
CHEST and Lung Association Announce New COPD Research Grant
In celebration of our 120th anniversary, the Lung Association and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recently announced a new medical research grant—the CHEST/ALA Guideline Implementation Research Grant for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management. The two-year, $120,000 grant will fund COPD research, including evidence-based interventions, such as barriers to care, smoking cessation, digital health tools, and methods to reduce COPD triggers
Freedom From Smoking® Program Featured in Magazine for Medical Professionals
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) recently featured our Freedom From Smoking program, proven effective in helping hundreds of thousands of individuals quit all types of tobacco products for over 41 years, in the organization’s publication, Medical Assisting Today. The article, “Up in Smoke,” details the evolution of tobacco use, its impact on society as the leading cause of preventable death, challenges associated with quitting, and key strategies to overcome lifelong tobacco and nicotine dependence.
ADVOCACY
Lung Association Responds to Removal of Expert Vaccine Panel, Narrowing of COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary recently announced the abrupt removal of all members of the American Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the expert government panel that makes vaccine recommendations. Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer says the move "politicizes vaccine science at a time when trust and transparency are more critical than ever." Earlier this month, the Lung Association was among 28 prominent health organizations supporting a statement to the Secretary on the decision to eliminate the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination for healthy children and pregnant women. Without the official recommendation for routine use, there is uncertainty about insurance coverage and payment for COVID-19 vaccines.
‘Make America Healthy Again’ Fails to Address Key Factors in Childhood Chronic Disease Prevention
The White House recently released its “Make America Healthy Again” assessment, and while the Lung Association shares many of the concerns raised in the report regarding the increase of childhood chronic diseases, including asthma, we are also very troubled that this report “retreats on some of the most proven ways to protect children from illness,” primarily through vaccines and access to care. “Rather than moving forward to address today’s chronic disease challenges, this report would bring us back to an era when kids routinely died or suffered lifelong harm from preventable infectious diseases like measles, mumps, polio and pertussis,” said Harold Wimmer in a statement.
Help Us Protect the ENERGY STAR® Program
Since 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program has helped families save over $500 billion, cut climate pollution and improve public health—all by guiding smarter energy choices. Now, this trusted and effective program is on the chopping block. Eliminating Energy Star would be a devastating blow to climate progress, public health and household savings.
Please join us in calling on Congress to protect this critical program.
28 National Health and Medical Organizations Support Declaration on Climate Change and Health
Last month, the Lung Association and 27 other national health and medical organizations released a Declaration on Climate Change and Health, outlining the health harms of climate change and urging leaders at every level to take swift action. “People everywhere understand that our changing climate is harming our health because they’re living through the impacts right now—from worsening wildfires, extreme heat and flooding events to the increased spread of diseases like Lyme and West Nile, to poorer mental health as a result of climate disasters,” according to the declaration.
EACH BREATH BLOG
5 Tips to Help You Navigate a New COPD Diagnosis
A COPD diagnosis often brings about significant feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, learning about the disease and how to manage symptoms can help you live a long and healthy life. In our new blog, Lung Association Medical Expert Francesca Polverino, MD, PhD, who leads the COPD translational research group at Baylor College of Medicine, provides five tips to help people navigate a life with COPD, allowing them to take charge of their health and to live their best life. 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: June 17, 2025
