On September 10, the American Lung Association will hold its third Respiratory Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together patient advocates living with lung disease to meet with members of Congress and discuss public health and healthcare issues.
This year’s gathering occurs during a period marked by significant funding and staffing reductions at federal public health agencies. Other ongoing challenges include smoke from wildfires, the largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, and the most severe flu season in more than a decade. These conditions pose serious risks for people with chronic respiratory diseases.
According to the American Lung Association, more than 11.7 million people in the United States have COPD, almost 28 million have asthma—including 4.8 million children—and about 100,000 live with pulmonary fibrosis. Each year, between 500 and 1,000 people are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. People affected by these conditions require continuous access to affordable and quality healthcare because they are especially vulnerable to outbreaks of seasonal respiratory illnesses and poor air quality.
“This past year has brought unprecedented challenges for the more than 35 million individuals living with lung disease in the U.S.,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. “Our Respiratory Advocacy Day Lung Health Champions, united from every corner of the country, are courageously sharing their powerful voices with decision makers, advocating in support of therapies and healthcare coverage that allow them to live active, healthy lives, and federal programs that provide support and interventions for common respiratory diseases.”
During Respiratory Advocacy Day on Wednesday, participants will ask their congressional representatives for support on key issues affecting those living with lung disease.
Participants will also take part in training sessions and network with other lung health advocates during the event. In addition to this annual advocacy day in Washington D.C., attendees will be invited to participate in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts through the Lung Association’s Lung Action Network.
Respiratory Advocacy Day was created by the American Lung Association as a complement to LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day. Through LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day efforts, LUNG FORCE Heroes have advocated successfully for an increase of $500 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for lung cancer research—a rise of 142%.
More information about Respiratory Advocacy Day is available at https://www.lung.org/rad.
