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American Lung Association News from October 17th: Recommendations for Respiratory Virus Season

Health and Fitness

October 18, 2024


Prevention, Prevention, Prevention: Prepare Now for Flu, COVID-19 and RSV

As Dr. Albert Rizzo, our Chief Medical Officer, says, “It's always better to prevent a disease than to treat it.”

That’s why we’re emphasizing the importance of staying up to date on vaccines to prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu and COVID?19 vaccinations for everyone ages 6 months and older, and RSV immunization options for infants, people who are pregnant, and older adults.

Protect yourself and your family this respiratory virus season:

- Preventing Flu

- Preventing RSV

- Preventing COVID?19

Free Webinar: Respiratory Virus Immunizations for Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions

Join us on Wednesday, October 30, for an informative discussion of prevention strategies, as well as vaccination recommendations and where to get them. This webinar is specifically tailored for adults living with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, COPD, diabetes and heart disease. Learn more and save your spot.

Increasing Hispanic Representation in Clinical Trials

While there are more individuals than ever exceeding the five?year survival rate for lung cancer, this progress has not been shared equally, particularly for Hispanic individuals, who are 30% more likely to not receive any treatment and 9% less likely to survive five years compared to white individuals. In fact, only 1% of the clinical trial population is represented by Hispanics.

In response, we are expanding outreach to Hispanic communities to address common misconceptions and mistrust around clinical trials, while encouraging patient discussions with healthcare providers about treatment options, including clinical trials.

Learn more about the importance of representation in clinical trials: English | Spanish.

Investing in Lung Health Research

The $22 million in research funding recently awarded by our Research Institute makes the Lung Association one of the largest funders of lung health research in the country. The awards will support the work of 139 scientists and our Airways Clinical Research Centers, a network of 34 premier academic medical centers conducting studies on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Top Lung News:

- How Your School’s Indoor Air Quality Affects Health and Learning

- Pulmonary Fibrosis Researcher Searches for Clues Through Inflammatory Signaling

- October's Mission Moment

More Lung News

Collaboration to Reduce Lung Cancer Risk

Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For people who smoke and are also exposed to radon, the risk of lung cancer is even higher. To help lower these lung cancer risks, we’re teaming up with the Indoor Environments Association (IEA) to spread the word about the risks of lung cancer and radon exposure, while encouraging and supporting people who smoke to quit tobacco for good.

As part of this collaboration, the Lung Association is offering $30,000 worth of in-kind Lung Health Navigator assistance and Freedom From Smoking® memberships to all IEA members, radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families.

The Importance of Clean Indoor Air

We spend 90% of our time indoors where indoor air can be 2 – 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, and in some circumstances, up to 100% more polluted. Indoor air can contain harmful pollutants like particulate matter, radon, and volatile organic compounds.

October is National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, so we’re encouraging everyone to protect their lungs and take steps to reduce pollutants in the home.

Act Now to Get 2024 Tax Benefits

You can make a gift from your IRA to make a lasting difference for millions of people living with lung disease. If you are 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to the American Lung Association and avoid paying income taxes on your donation. Learn more about this unique tax?saving opportunity.