Promoting respiratory health among underserved communities in Guatemala.

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

In Santiago Atitlán region there is a predomintant Tz’utujil Maya community where over 90% of the population identifies as Indigenous, respiratory health is an urgent yet often overlooked public health concern.

Many women over the age of 40 do not speak Spanish, which limits access to essential health information, particularly regarding the long-term dangers of air pollution. The majority of residents rely on traditional cooking methods—such as open three-stone fires or wood-burning stoves—that release harmful smoke into living spaces. In many households, cooking takes place indoors or in rooms where families also sleep, leading to prolonged exposure to smoke and other pollutants. Beyond household air pollution, community-wide environmental practices further contribute to deteriorating air quality. To the point where, in 2021, lower respiratory infections ranked as the third leading cause of death in Guatemala, following diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hospitalito Atitlán organised a Healthy Lungs for Life event that worked to address a pressing health disparity while reinforcing the campaign’s global message. They used a simple balloon test to assess lung function and engage people in discussions about lung health.

Around 200 people visited the event, and 16 people were given a peak-flow meter to monitor their own lung health. People who showed signs of a concerning lung function were encouraged to have a more comprehensive medical follow-up. The successful event was broadcasted on several radio stations and television, reaching an even broader audience.