American Lung Association launches free program to help COPD patients

The American Lung Association has launched a free national program designed to help patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. The initiative aims to provide accessible support for a condition that affects more than 16 million people in the United States, many of whom face significant barriers to care.

COPD is characterized as a chronic, progressive disease that restricts airflow and causes breathing difficulties. The disease imposes a heavy burden on patients and their families, impacting both mental health and financial stability. According to the American Lung Association, the average annual medical cost for a person with COPD is $16,000, compared to $6,000 for individuals without the condition. Each year, the disease results in 925,000 emergency room visits and 335,000 hospitalizations.

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Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, noted the difficulty many patients face when seeking treatment.

"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."

Harold Wimmer, President and CEO, American Lung Association, via American Lung Association

The program centers on the use of Lung Health Navigators, who work with patients one-on-one. The organization reported that participants who completed the program experienced fewer symptoms, with a measured average decrease of 2.9 points on the COPD Assessment Test. The initiative is intended to provide education and resources that extend beyond the clinical setting, a feature highlighted by Dr. Bobby Shah, a 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."

Bobby Shah, MD, board-certified pulmonologist, via American Lung Association

Support and Accessibility

The campaign, which is supported by corporate partners including Sanofi, Regeneron, AstraZeneca, and Genentech, offers several channels for patient assistance:

• Navigator Connection: Patients can speak with a Lung Health Navigator by calling 866-252-2959.
• Digital Resources: Further information is available at Lung.org/copd or by visiting Lung.org/navigator.
• Strategic Goals: The American Lung Association emphasizes this work as part of its mission to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families.

Broader Healthcare Context

The launch of this program arrives alongside significant shifts in international health policy regarding chronic conditions. On 7 July 2026, the United Kingdom government launched the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework. This national framework seeks to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and strokes by 25 percent over the next decade.

The UK framework aims to transition the National Health Service from reactive care to proactive prevention. This shift includes 12 immediate priorities to be implemented over the next three years. These initiatives are designed to address the fact that every three minutes someone in the UK dies from heart or circulatory disease, with approximately 33,000 premature deaths occurring annually from heart disease and stroke.

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the Bhf, stated,

"With extraordinary pressure on the NHS, and cardiovascular disease claiming one life every four minutes in England, this focus on cardiovascular care cannot come too soon."

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, British Heart Foundation, via BHF

Both the American Lung Association's program and the UK’s new framework emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and ongoing support to reduce the burden of chronic, preventable health conditions. As the American Lung Association continues its outreach, the UK government has indicated that further details on the delivery of its framework will be released later this year.