American Lung Association Free Program Helps People With COPD Gain Control Over Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life
Free program features one-on-one support and resources, with goal of empowering people living with COPD to understand treatment options and reduce rehospitalizations
CHICAGO, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association is announcing a new initiative to help people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) better manage symptoms and improve quality of life. More than 16 million people in the U.S. have COPD, a chronic, progressive disease that limits air flow and causes difficulty breathing. Millions more are estimated to live with the disease undiagnosed.
COPD is a significant health burden in the U.S. The average medical cost for a person living with COPD is $16,000 annually, compared to $6,000 for a person without the disease. COPD results in 925,000 emergency room visits and 335,000 hospitalizations each year.
"COPD is a devastating disease that can impact the entire family by taking a toll on mental health and finances. Though there is no cure for COPD, treatments like supplemental oxygen, inhalers and medication, as well as lifestyle changes, can help control symptoms and improve disease management. But managing COPD can be overwhelming, and too many people don't know where to begin," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "An important part of living with COPD is finding the right support, and our Lung Health Navigators are here to help. We found that after completing the program and working one-on-one with a Navigator, people report fewer symptoms*, indicating a significant reduced impact of COPD on their daily life."
"As a physician, I do everything I can to help my patients with COPD live their best, most active and fulfilling lives, but it is critical for people to have support, education and accessible resources to help manage their disease on a daily basis," said Bobby Shah, MD, board-certified pulmonologist at Cardio-Pulmonary Associates in St. Louis. "Through the Lung Association campaign, people with COPD are able to easily access the information they need outside of my office and the hospital. This is especially important for people who are newly diagnosed with the disease."
The program includes:
Learn more about COPD at Lung.org/copd. To connect with a Lung Health Navigator, call 866-252-2959, or visit Lung.org/navigator.
Support for the campaign was provided by Sanofi, Regeneron, AstraZeneca and Genentech.
* Symptoms as measured by the COPD Assessment Test, to be an average of 2.9 points lower upon postscore than prescore.
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events or donate today at Lung.org/donate.
CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association
P: 312-940-7001 M: 720-438-8289E: [email protected]
SOURCE American Lung Association