We’ve got some great news to share—especially for the millions of people around the world living with lung disease. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) made a move to support lung health worldwide by passing a new resolution that focuses on fighting respiratory illnesses. This resolution is a major win for public health, and NB Lung is proud to be part of the team that helped make it happen.
As a member of the National Lung Health Alliance (NLHA), NB Lung joined other organizations across Canada in celebrating this important step forward. Together, we supported a letter sent to the WHO Representative for Canada and the Federal Minister of Health, encouraging strong support for this resolution.
So, what’s in the resolution?
The WHO resolution calls on countries around the world to take stronger action to prevent, diagnose, and treat common lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. It also pushes for greater attention to two of the biggest threats to our lungs: air pollution and tobacco use. The resolution also recognizes that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The resolution urges member states, like Canada, to:
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Create a National Lung Health Plan
Develop a plan that includes all types of lung diseases (like asthma, lung cancer, and tuberculosis, COVID-19) and involves different parts of government and society—such as healthcare, education, environment, and labor. -
Make Lung Health Part of Primary Healthcare
Include lung health services in a universal health coverage plan so everyone has access to screening, treatment, and referrals to specialists when needed. -
Raise Awareness About Air Pollution
Teach people about the dangers of air pollution and improve national air quality standards and monitoring. -
Protect Workers
Create and enforce rules to protect workers from harmful air and substances that can damage their lungs. -
Strengthening health promotion, primary preventive services
Including tobacco and vaping control, reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure – and vaccination programmes for preventable respiratory infections. Updating or developing evidence-based clinical and public health guidelines for cost-effective measures for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung diseases.
Why does this matter?
In Canada alone, lung disease is a growing concern. More than 1 in 5 Canadians live with some form of lung condition. Yet public health support for lung health hasn’t always kept up. The Lung Health Foundation points out that while some countries are cutting funding for public health, Canada has a chance to lead the way—by investing in the health of our lungs and building on this global momentum.
This new resolution from the WHO sends a clear message: lung health matters, and it’s time we take it seriously.
At NB Lung, we’re excited to see international leaders take action, and we’ll keep working hard here at home to make sure every breath counts.
Read the full text of the WHO Resolution on Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach.