World Lung Day: A Global Call to Action for Lung Health

World Lung Day (WLD) is an annual global event dedicated to raising awareness about lung health and advocating for the prevention and treatment of lung diseases. It highlights the importance of healthy lungs and addresses the critical challenges posed by respiratory illnesses worldwide.

Quick Facts

• When is it?: September 25, every year.
• Tagged as: A global health advocacy day.
• What’s the hashtag?: #WorldLungDay
• When was it founded?: 2017
• Who founded it?: The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)

History of World Lung Day

World Lung Day was first observed in 2017, initiated by FIRS to bring attention to the global burden of respiratory diseases. The day serves as a platform to unite individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers in promoting lung health and combating conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and tuberculosis. Over the years, WLD has evolved into a significant event addressing air pollution, tobacco use, and climate change as major contributors to lung diseases.

Timeline

• 2017: First World Lung Day observed.
• 2018: Focus on raising awareness about respiratory health globally.
• 2020: Highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on lung health.
• 2022: Theme “Lung Health for All” emphasized global health equity.
• 2024: Theme “Clean Air and Healthy Lungs for All” addressed air pollution.

Dates by Next Year (2025–2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	September 25	Thursday
2026	September 25	Friday
2027	September 25	Saturday
2028	September 25	Monday
2029	September 25	Tuesday
2030	September 25	Wednesday

Observed

World Lung Day is observed globally through various activities such as awareness campaigns, educational workshops, webinars, and advocacy events. Governments, organizations, and individuals come together to promote policies for cleaner air, encourage smoking cessation, and support research on respiratory diseases.

Fun Facts About World Lung Day

• Nearly half a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.
• Air pollution contributes to seven million deaths annually due to respiratory illnesses.
• Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable lung disease globally.

Quiz

1. When is World Lung Day observed?

• A) August 1
• B) September 25
• C) October 10
  (Answer: B)

1. What is the leading cause of lung cancer?

• A) Smoking
• B) Air pollution
• C) Genetic factors
  (Answer: A)

1. What percentage of the global population breathes unhealthy air?

• A) 50%
• B) 75%
• C) 99%
  (Answer: C)

1. Which organization founded World Lung Day?

• A) WHO
• B) FIRS
• C) CDC
  (Answer: B)

FAQs

1. What is World Lung Day?
   World Lung Day is a global event observed on September 25 to raise awareness about lung health and advocate for better prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases.
2. How can I participate in World Lung Day?
   You can join by spreading awareness on social media using #WorldLungDay, attending local events, or supporting organizations that promote lung health.
3. Why is air pollution a focus of World Lung Day?
   Air pollution significantly impacts respiratory health, causing millions of premature deaths annually due to diseases like COPD and lung cancer.

Related

• World Asthma Day
• World COPD Day
• World Cancer Day
• Clean Air Day