As students return to school for the 2025-2026 academic year, the American Lung Association is urging families, educators, and communities to address common threats to children's lung health. More than six million children in the United States live with asthma, and many others are exposed to poor indoor air quality, respiratory illnesses, and tobacco use.
“A new school year brings new routines, environments and exposures that can all impact a child’s ability to breathe easily and stay healthy,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “We want every child to start the year strong, which is why we’re providing tools and resources to help families and schools recognize risks and take action early. Being proactive about lung health helps students show up ready to learn and thrive. Whether you’re a parent, school nurse, educator or administrator, now is the time to put a plan in place to protect kids’ lungs.”
The association highlights several key steps for protecting lung health:
Poor indoor air quality in schools can affect learning by reducing concentration and triggering asthma symptoms or spreading viruses. The Clean Air School Challenge provides resources for schools seeking to assess their indoor air quality and implement improvements. More information is available at Lung.org/casc.
Asthma remains one of the leading causes of missed school days. Changing routines at the start of a new academic year can introduce new triggers or make it harder for students to access medication.
Vaccinations are important as respiratory infections such as flu or whooping cough can be especially serious for children with asthma or other lung conditions.
The organization also encourages parents to discuss tobacco use—including vaping—with their children before classes begin. It offers prevention programs for youth as well as intervention strategies for schools.
Schools can find free tools through the Creating Lung-Friendly Environments for Youth initiative from the association. These include sample policies on air quality management, chronic disease care, and tobacco-free campuses.
The American Lung Association also calls on individuals to advocate for funding that supports asthma control programs; more information is available at Lung.org/savethenacp.
For further back-to-school tips related to lung health or additional resources from the American Lung Association, visit Lung.org.
