Almost 300 people received a lung health check at a public lung health event in Barcelona this week as part of the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign. The event, held at Plaça Universitat on 6 September, offered free spirometry testing and practical advice on protecting lung health.
The timing of the event coincided with International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, observed globally on 7 September, highlighting the urgent need to raise public awareness and promote actions to improve air quality.
Healthy Lungs for Life is a collaborative initiative of the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), supported by the Clean Air Fund. Working with patients, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations at national level, it combines scientific evidence, public engagement and advocacy to promote lung health and highlight the importance of clean air.
The event was opened by ELF Chair Dimitris Kontopidis and ISGlobal Deputy Director Judith García-Aymerich.
In his opening speech, ELF Chair Dimitris said: “Clean air is not just an environmental issue, it is a public health issue that affects us as individuals. Air pollution affects lung development in children, worsens lung disease and heavily impacts daily life. I know this because I have cystic fibrosis and live with 30% of my lung capacity. I know first-hand how much air quality defines our quality of everyday life. For millions of people with asthma, COPD or conditions like mine, clean air is essential. This is why prevention and health protection are so important.”
Judith García-Aymerich added: “Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to lung health in Europe. The evidence is clear that cleaner air means healthier lungs for everyone. Lung function testing is an accessible, non-invasive way to check lung health and it delivers immediate results. Events like this bring that message directly to the public and health institutions and policymakers need to work together on this.”
This year’s campaign will also include a school programme from October 2026, working with local schools across Barcelona, delivering interactive sessions on air quality, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The aim is to help children and young people understand how everyday choices can support lifelong lung health.
The event attracted significant media attention, with local and national press covering the campaign’s message on clean air and lung health. Throughout the day, the event space remained busy as members of the public queued for lung health checks and spoke with healthcare professionals about protecting their lungs.
Around 200 people used the Lovexair CheckAir tool during the event, taking the opportunity to assess their local air quality exposure and better understand how environmental factors may be affecting their lung health.
Today, 8 September, a stakeholder meeting, focused on the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign theme “Breathe Clean Air“, will bring together partners from all Healthy Lungs for Life countries at the ERS Congress. The meeting provides an opportunity for organisations across Europe to get involved with the campaign and learn how to hold Healthy Lungs for Life clean air events in their own countries.
Further information
The HLFL public event was supported by Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona Convention Bureau, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Asthma and Allergy Spain, Separ Respira, Lovexair Foundation, Fenaer Pacientes and APEPOC. The spirometry equipment was generously provided by ndd Medical Technologies.
