Mission Moment February 2026

TOP STORY

American Lung Association Joins Health Associations in Opposition to EPA’s Repeal of Endangerment Finding 

This month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its repeal of the Endangerment Finding, the agency’s longstanding, science-based finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare. The action also included the elimination of federal standards to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks. In response, the Lung Association joined prominent health organizations in issuing a statement and announcing plans to initiate legal action to challenge the EPA action. Other nonprofit organizations are expected to join the case, which is represented by pro-bono attorneys at the Clean Air Task Force.  

“Climate change harms health – period,” said Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer. “Overturning the Endangerment Finding and eliminating cleaner vehicles rules will result in more air pollution, more frequent and intense disasters like wildfires and floods, and increased risk of diseases, making lung health worse across the U.S. This retreat from climate leadership is irresponsible and will endanger the health of families, so the Lung Association will use every tool at our disposal to defend the right to clean air and a safe climate.”

Bipartisan Health Funding Ensures Continued Investment in Lifesaving Public Health, Research Programs

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, and the President signed into law, critical funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ensuring continued investment in lifesaving public health and research programs. "The American Lung Association welcomes the passage of funding for federal health programs, which maintains CDC funding and includes a $400 million increase for NIH,” said Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer in a statement. These investments support proven efforts to prevent and manage asthma, reduce tobacco use, advance lung cancer prevention and drive lifesaving research across the full spectrum of lung disease.” Read more.

New Lung Association Report: Cuts to Federal Tobacco Prevention Efforts Put U.S. Lives at Risk

The American Lung Association recently released its 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, highlighting the devastating impact of last year’s federal rollback of critical tobacco prevention programs ---the largest in decades. While smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, tobacco use has steadily declined over the past 25 years. Unfortunately, this hard-fought progress is now at risk. The 2026 report grades each state, Washington, D.C. and the federal government in five areas proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use. The report calls on the federal government to fully restore critical tobacco control programs, and for state legislatures to advance strong, fact-based control policies that protect communities and reduce tobacco use.

You can take action to help fight tobacco use, by asking your governor and state legislators to enact the proven tobacco prevention policies called for in the report. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

LUNG FORCE Walks/Runs kick-off in May with events scheduled in New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and Fort Lauderdale. LUNG FORCE unites women, men and caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. Through education, advocacy and research, we work to provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more lives. Together with your support, we have made significant strides in our efforts to defeat this disease. Since the start of LUNG FORCE in 2016, our events and efforts have raised more than $35 million for lung cancer research, helping to support the development of 74 new lung cancer treatments. In addition, the five-year survival rate has increased 26% over the past five years to nearly 30%. LUNG FORCE Walks and Run/Walks kick-off in May with events scheduled in New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and Fort Lauderdale. LUNG FORCE unites women, men and caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. Through education, advocacy and research, we work to provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more lives. Together with your support, we have made significant strides in our efforts to defeat this disease. Since the start of LUNG FORCE in 2016, our events and efforts have raised more than $35 million for lung cancer research, helping to support the development of 74 new lung cancer treatments. In addition, the five-year survival rate has increased 26% over the past five years to nearly 30%.

New Clues to Protecting Infant Lungs: Insights from Lung Association-Supported RSV Research  

Pankaj Baral, PhD, of Kansas State University, along with his colleagues, are highlighting the role of β₂-adrenergic signaling in helping to control respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Utilizing an animal model, the research found that stimulating this signaling pathway reduced lung inflammation and mucus production, while loss of sympathetic neurons or β₂-adrenergic receptors worsened disease outcomes. The results highlight a protective role for this pathway in early-life viral pneumonia. These findings also improve our understanding of neuro-immune interactions in the lungs and could inform new strategies to support antiviral defenses in infants. Dr. Baral was a previous recipient of our Research Institute’s COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award.

YOUR HEALTH 

FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS  

Spirometry Implementation & Interpretation Training – April 29th  
Registration is now open for the American Lung Association’s Spirometry Implementation & Interpretation Training, taking place on April 29 in the Lung Association’s Chicago office. This training course is designed especially for healthcare professionals who have the responsibility to administer and implement the spirometry test and primary care providers who will be interpreting the results to assist with diagnosis and disease management. Registration options include half-day and full-day options. CME/CEUs are available. 

Learn more and register here: Implementation and Interpretation of Spirometry for Primary Care.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

For over 120 years, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference and saving lives. Our efforts impact the more than 35 million people living in the United States with chronic lung disease, and millions more through our pioneering model of education, advocacy and research. Thank you for all you do to help everyone breathe more easily! Visit Lung.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference.