Millions of children will return to classrooms for the 2026-2027 school year, and the American Lung Association announced on Aug. 11 that it is providing resources, education, and programs to help ensure students are safe and healthy at school. The organization said it offers materials for students, parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, school health professionals, and staff to address asthma, tobacco and nicotine use, and respiratory illnesses.
“Schools are a powerful setting to improve lung health for youth and their communities,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Improving the lung health of children in schools takes a collaborative approach including the whole school, community, parents and caregivers, as well as the students.”
The group’s Creating Lung-Friendly Environments for Youth initiative—also called “Lung Friendly Schools”—aims to help schools implement policies on asthma management, air quality improvement, and tobacco-free environments. The free program provides information packets with guides and sample model policies that can be used by schools seeking to protect both students and staff.
The association also advocates for policies supporting student health. It highlighted support for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Asthma Control Program (NACP), which funds states in monitoring asthma rates while working to reduce emergency room visits related to asthma among children. The American Lung Association is urging Congress to increase funding so NACP can serve more states.
The American Lung Association has supported research advancing treatment of lung diseases; extended its reach nationwide through local offices; received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator; worked toward saving lives via research, education and advocacy; expanded its impact through community efforts; and is led by Harold Wimmer as president, all according to the official website.
