Episode #1: COVID-19, Complications & Search for a Cure with Dr. David Ho

Dr. Al Rizzo:
Hello, I’m Dr. Al Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

Doctors, think: how often have you asked a patient, “How’s your breathing?” Friends, how often have you worried about your own breathing?

The coronavirus pandemic—its respiratory droplet spread and its worst effects on ventilated patients—has fixed the world’s attention on respiratory health. It may not be much of a stretch to say the lungs are the most discussed organs in the world right now.

Still, even before the pandemic, this wasn’t far off. Consider the 29% rise in asthma since 2000, or that only a couple of chronic diseases have caused more deaths in our aging population than COPD or lung cancer. Consider the stories that headlined global health news prior to COVID-19: vaping, cannabis, air pollution.

Lung health speaks to other organs, conditions, diseases, treatments, lifestyles, and threats—and we’d like to talk about it all with you.

This August, we are launching Lungcast, a monthly podcast interview series hosted by the American Lung Association and HCP Live. As your host, each month I will be joined by world-leading experts in research and clinical care to discuss evolving facets of respiratory medicine.

You’ll hear discussions on COVID-19 research with HIV pioneer Dr. David Ho. You’ll get analyses on new policies for oxygen therapy and the revolutionary expansion of telemedicine. You’ll receive expert-led guidance on lung cancer screening programs, thoracic surgery, smoking cessation, and more.

Be sure to subscribe to Lungcast on iTunes and Spotify, and follow each episode on the American Lung Association and HCP Live websites and social media channels. We’ll be sharing write-ups and segments from each new interview, along with resources for you to continue learning about respiratory health.

Join me, Dr. Al Rizzo, for the start of Lungcast next month. We’re excited to explore where lung health is headed—one breath at a time.