HEALTHY LUNG MONTH – October 2020

Original article by National Today.

https://nationaltoday.com/healthy-lung-month/

Except when we have trouble doing so, we rarely think about breathing and that's why every October is Healthy Lung Month. In order to educate the public about the importance of protecting our lungs against general negligence, bronchitis, mold, air pollution, and smoking, several groups have joined forces. If we take care of our lungs, the bottom line is that our lungs will take care of us.

Lung health has been a concern throughout human history and a phenomenon that has intrigued doctors, health workers, and scientists. Diseases such as tuberculosis, the flu, and many other airborne ailments have been around for a long time, looming over societies like a deadly blanket. 

Tuberculosis, or TB, has been among the most prominent lung diseases in history, with traces of it even being found in ancient Egyptian mummies. It was tuberculosis that prompted the start of the American Lung Association in 1904. 

More recently anti-smoking movements have joined in the healthy lung movement. Cigarette packaging warnings were established in 1966 and years of campaigning have  successfully led to the change in perception of smoking among the American public, with Americans now realizing smoking is a major cause of cancer.

Lung disease affects a huge number of Americans. Around 10 million are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis each year, 25 million are believed to be living with asthma, and over 150,000 die from lung cancer annually. Our lungs are important and Healthy Lung Month is an opportunity to create awareness around healthy lifestyle choices.