September 25, 2026: together for lung health
Every year on September 25, the world comes together to mark World Lung Day, a global campaign launched by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies to raise awareness of lung health and to drive the fight against respiratory diseases. Healthy lungs are fundamental to our overall well-being, yet millions of people still live with chronic respiratory diseases without proper care. In the European Region alone, more than 81.7 million people are affected by chronic respiratory conditions, and many of these cases remain undiagnosed or poorly managed. Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are the most common chronic respiratory diseases, and together, with other chronic respiratory conditions, rank as the sixth leading cause of death globally. This points to an urgent need for better prevention, earlier diagnosis and equitable access to treatment. Despite the vital role our lungs play in daily life, too many people continue to struggle to breathe without the support they need.¹,²
Understanding asthma: when breathing becomes difficult
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and affects almost 340 million people worldwide.3,4 It causes narrowing of the airways as well as their inflammation, leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The risk is higher for those whose parents or siblings have asthma, or who suffer from allergic conditions such as eczema or hay fever. Living in urban areas, exposure to polluted air, household irritants such as dust and mold, and certain workplace chemicals can also increase the likelihood. Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight, as well as those carrying excess weight, face a greater risk as well. While asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease and cannot be cured, inhaled medications such as bronchodilators and steroids can effectively control symptoms, allowing people to lead fully active lives.³
COPD: the silent threat to every breath
COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, and affects more than 400 million people.5 It restricts airflow and produces symptoms such as chronic cough, breathing difficulties and fatigue, which usually appear from middle age onward. Smoking accounts for over 70% of cases in high-income countries, while air pollution, dust and chemical exposure also play a major role. Like asthma, COPD is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, yet lifestyle changes and treatment can meaningfully improve the condition. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps a person with COPD can take, alongside avoiding pollution and keeping up to date with influenza and pneumonia vaccinations. Bronchodilator inhalers are the mainstay of COPD treatment, however, therapies such as corticosteroids or advanced biologics are often added to optimize control. Additionally, oxygen may be prescribed in severe cases, and pulmonary rehabilitation is also available to improve breathing capacity. 6, 7
Menarini's Group commitment to lung health
At Menarini Group, respiratory health has long been a central part of our work, and a responsibility we feel deeply. True dedication to lung health cannot be confined to a single day. While World Lung Day is a vital moment to raise awareness, the commitment it calls for is one we choose to uphold throughout the year, through continuous investment, sharper focus and collective effort. This is why we never stop supporting the scientists searching for answers, the clinicians providing care, and the people living with respiratory conditions every day. For us, progress means something real only when it changes a person's life for the better.
IM-17-2026. Date of preparation July 2026.
Sources:
1. World Health Organization (WHO). World Lung Day 2026. Available at: https://www.knowledge-action-portal.com/en/content/world-lung-day-2026 — Last accessed June 2026.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic respiratory diseases: more than 80 million affected and many more undiagnosed, warns new WHO and European Respiratory Society report. Available at: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/12-06-2025-chronic-respiratory-diseases--more-than-80-million-affected-and-many-more-undiagnosed--warns-new-who-and-european-respiratory-society-report — Last accessed June 2026.
3. World Health Organization (WHO). Asthma. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma — Last accessed June 2026.
4. Khan AH, et al. BMJ Open. 2025;15(5):e085175.
5. de Oca MM, et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2025;13(8):709-724.
6. World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd) – Last accessed June 2026.
7. Shamim H, et al. Lung India. 2026;43(1):62-66.
