WORLD Lung Day 2023, celebrated globally on September 25, presents an opportunity to shed light on the critical importance of lung health and raise awareness about the challenges and solutions related to lung diseases.

This year, individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide come together under the theme ‘Access to prevention and treatment for all. Leave no one behind’ to address the pressing issues facing lung health.

Lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease (ILD) and respiratory infections, remain a combined global public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 4 million people die prematurely from respiratory diseases each year, and millions more suffer from chronic lung conditions that impact their quality of life.

World Lung Day is a call to action to:

1. Raise awareness: It serves as a platform to educate the public about the importance of lung health, common lung diseases, and the risk factors associated with them.

2. Advocate for change: World Lung Day encourages governments, health-care providers, and stakeholders to prioritise lung health policies, research, and funding.

3. Support patients: It highlights the need for accessible, affordable, and equitable health-care services for individuals living with lung diseases.

4. Promote clean air: Addressing air pollution, tobacco control, and other environmental factors that affect lung health is a central focus of World Lung Day.

Marie Ricketts-Scott, founding director of Jamaica Lung Support, emphasized the significance of this day, stating, “World Lung Day is a global call to action for lung health. We aim to raise awareness about lung diseases and advocate for policies that can positively impact lung health in Jamaica. It is crucial for individuals to understand that many lung diseases are incurable, and early detection can make a significant difference.”

In the spirit of ‘Access to prevention and treatment for all. Leave no one behind’ Jamaica Lung Support is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking Pay It Forward Medication Initiative. This initiative will provide subsidised medication and support to eligible individuals, ensuring they can manage their conditions effectively.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in World Lung Day 2023 by spreading awareness on social media using the hashtag #WorldLungDay and taking steps to protect their own lung health and that of their communities.

Let us provide access to prevention and treatment for all; leave no one behind on World Lung Day 2023. The ability to breathe is the greatest gift because when you cannot breathe, nothing else matters.