World Lung Day 2026 activities from Healthy Lungs for Life grant recipients

In southern Ethiopia, READIO Ethiopia worked with Community Health Workers and healthcare professionals to bring lung health checks (spirometry) and education directly to Chukare Kebele, a rural community with limited access to healthcare services.

The initiative reached 266 households and more than 1,300 people, including over 180 children under five. It also trained 27 Community Health Workers to recognise warning signs of lung disease, promote early care-seeking and support referrals. Education sessions covered topics including pneumonia, tuberculosis, clean air, smoke-free living, vaccination and recognising when to seek medical advice, helping build local knowledge that will benefit the community beyond World Lung Day.

In Sheffield, United Kingdom, SOAR Community hosted a “Breathe Better, Move More” event in Burngreave, one of Sheffield’s most diverse communities. The event brought together around 80 local residents to learn more about lung health and wellbeing.

Residents could access lung health checks (spirometry), smoking cessation advice, pulmonary rehabilitation information, breathing and singing exercises, and support from local charities and healthcare professionals. The event also brought together local health and community organisations, helping residents learn more about the support available in their area.

The Helping Hand Foundation in Multan, Pakistan, delivered 10 days of activities across schools, healthcare facilities and underserved communities.

More than 1,300 students took part in lung health checks (spirometry) and over 1,200 received structured lung health education. Community outreach activities focused on air pollution, tobacco exposure, vaccination and lung disease prevention, while people needing further assessment were referred for follow-up care. The project also encouraged young people to become ambassadors for lung health within their schools and communities.

In Ukraine, Dnipro State Medical University delivered educational activities and lung health checks (spirometry), despite the ongoing challenges facing the region.

The project also expanded support for internally displaced people living in university accommodation, including access to specialist lung health consultations for those whose healthcare had been disrupted by the conflict. The work demonstrated the determination and commitment of local teams to maintain access to care despite difficult circumstances.