American Lung Association launches COPD support program
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:49 AM CDT, Thu July 9, 2026
CHICAGO – The American Lung Association has launched a free program to help people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease better manage symptoms, understand treatment options and improve quality of life. “Though there is no cure for COPD, treatments like supplemental oxygen, inhalers and medication, as well as lifestyle changes, can help control symptoms and improve disease management,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “But managing COPD can be overwhelming, and too many people don’t know where to begin.” The Lung Health Navigator program offers free one-on-one support from health care providers, including registered nurses and respiratory therapists, by phone, live online chat and video calls. Navigators provide personalized guidance on treatment options, when to seek a second opinion and how to navigate insurance coverage. The program also includes new educational content for people with moderate to severe COPD and those returning home after a hospitalization for an exacerbation, as well as resources for health care providers to improve early diagnosis and COPD care. The Lung Association is also expanding partner referral networks in states with some of the highest COPD Medicare hospitalization rates, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
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