Promoting respiratory health among underserved communities in Guatemala

Hospitalito Atitlán promotes lung health through culturally relevant education, early detection and community engagement.

In the Santiago Atitlán region, the majority of the population—over 90 per cent—identifies as Indigenous Tz’utujil Maya. Respiratory health is an urgent yet often overlooked public health concern. Many women over the age of 40 do not speak Spanish, limiting access to essential health information, particularly regarding the long-term dangers of air pollution.

Most residents rely on traditional cooking methods, such as open three-stone fires or wood-burning stoves, which release harmful smoke into living spaces. In many households, cooking takes place indoors or in rooms where families also sleep, resulting in prolonged exposure to smoke and other pollutants. Wider community practices also contribute to poor air quality, and in 2021, lower respiratory infections were the third leading cause of death in Guatemala, following diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hospitalito Atitlán organised a Healthy Lungs for Life event to address this health disparity while reinforcing the campaign’s global message. A simple balloon test was used to assess lung function and engage participants in discussions about lung health.

Around 200 people attended the event, with 16 individuals receiving a peak-flow meter to monitor their own lung health. Those showing signs of concerning lung function were encouraged to seek further medical follow-up. The event was also broadcast on several radio stations and television channels, reaching an even wider audience.