World Lung Day 2025: Realising the Role of Healthy Lungs

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Harvesting paddy crops and burning paddy straw (paraali) will, as in previous years, raise pollution levels in Delhi. In the 'agricultural breadbasket' states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, populations face a higher burden and are at increased risk of developing or worsening respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Citizens living in affected metropolitan areas often ask, “Shouldn’t there be a special Lung Health Awareness Day to address respiratory issues due to air pollution?”

Fortunately, World Lung Day is observed every year on 25th September. This day aims to educate the public and mobilise authorities and policymakers to address the grave concern of rising lung health issues.

Let’s explore the significance of World Lung Health Awareness Day and its global impact on the people suffering from respiratory issues.

What is World Lung Day?

World Lung Day is an annual global event celebrated on September 25th to raise awareness about lung health and the importance of preventing and managing respiratory diseases. Initiated by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), the day highlights key issues like air pollution, smoking, and equitable access to care and research, encouraging action for cleaner air and better respiratory health for all. 

What is the History of World Lung Day?

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), along with its 250 partners, first organised World Lung Day in 2017. The idea was conceived during a FIRS meeting in Kyoto in 2016. Since then, it has been held annually on September 25. 

A Brief Introduction to FIRS:

FIRS aims to promote global respiratory health. It achieves this by collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international respiratory organisations, complementing its efforts through advocacy and partnerships with the community.

What is the Theme for World Lung Day 2025?

The official World Lung Day 2025 theme is:

“Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life”

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is committed to promoting healthy lungs and lives for all, globally. Join more than 250 FIRS members and World Lung Day partners in raising awareness for lung health on World Lung Day, September 25.

Global support helps increase awareness and motivates communities and governments to prioritise lung health.

6 Objectives of World Lung Day

World Lung Day is a global advocacy day focusing on improving lung health and fighting respiratory diseases. The significance of this crucial lung health awareness day stems from the six critical objectives:

Raising Awareness

A primary goal is to educate the public about the prevalence, causes, and impact of lung diseases affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. These include conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Promoting Prevention

The day highlights key preventive measures for maintaining lung health, such as avoiding smoking, reducing exposure to air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), and getting vaccinated against respiratory infections.

Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Many lung diseases are more manageable and have better outcomes with early detection. World Lung Day encourages individuals to recognise symptoms and seek timely medical attention while advocating for improved global access to diagnostic tools and effective treatments.

Reducing the Burden of Lung Disease

The day aims to reduce the burden of lung diseases worldwide, which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality rates, by raising awareness and promoting action.

Supporting Research and Development

It draws attention to the need for continued investment in research for new therapies, diagnostic methods, and preventive strategies for lung health.

Global Policy Change

World Lung Day provides a platform for health organisations and advocates worldwide to call upon governments and policymakers to implement measures that protect lung health, such as stricter air quality regulations, tobacco control policies, and improved healthcare infrastructure.

By fulfilling these six key objectives, World Lung Day highlights the significance of healthy lungs and encourages collective efforts to combat lung diseases globally.

How to Raise Respiratory Awareness on World Lung Day 2025? 

Raising awareness for respiratory health on this crucial World Lung Day involves a multifaceted approach, engaging various platforms and activities to reach a broad audience. 

Here are a few practical strategies you can implement this year:

• Social Media Campaigns: For a successful social media campaign, leverage platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share compelling facts, statistics, and infographics regarding lung diseases, their origins, and preventive measures. Use hashtags such as #WorldLungDay, #HealthyLungs, and #RespiratoryHealth in your social media posts. To add a human element, individuals living with lung conditions should be encouraged to share their personal stories.
• Participate in Workshops and Webinars: Organise free workshops or online webinars featuring pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals. These sessions can cover topics such as the importance of clean air, dangers of smoking and vaping, symptoms of common lung diseases, and proper use of inhalers. You can register for a free webinar by FIRS on World Lung Day 2025 - Redefining Respiratory Health. 
• Community Health Fairs: You can also collaborate with local healthcare providers to organise health fairs. Such fairs provide free lung function tests (spirometry) and blood pressure screenings, and set up information booths where attendees can learn about respiratory health resources.
• Teach Prevention at Schools:Instead of solely distributing N95 pollution masks to children at government schools, it’s time to hold health camps to educate the young people and adolescents about the importance of respiratory health. Use age-appropriate presentations, activities, and teaching materials to create respiratory health awareness. Additionally, you must educate the teenagers about the dangers of smoking, vaping, and air pollution.

These are a few interactive ways to spread lung health awareness and urge people to understand the importance of preventing respiratory issues.

Be a Wise Health Planner: Buy Health Coverage for Slow-growing Lung Diseases

Now that you have resolved to become a flagbearer for World Lung Awareness Day, you must understand the necessity of timely health coverage to cope with a sudden medical emergency that may arise due to a lung disease. Certain respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, usually take years to detect and eventually burden you financially and physically. Hence, it is essential to pre-plan your finances for a good health insurance plan, such as Care Supreme, that allows you to reduce the waiting period for a slow-growing lung disease such as asthma. Additionally, such a health insurance plan can assure complete coverage without sub-limits and caps.

Disclaimer: Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of your health concerns.