European Lung Foundation

07/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined Stronger Together, ELF’s first online event for Patient Advisory Groups (PAGs) 👏

🌍 PAG members from across Europe came together to share experiences, learn from one another and discuss how we can work better together. The event also featured inspiring PAG project presentations and a guided relaxation activity.

Patient voices are central to everything we do at ELF, and events like this show the strength of our community. The team will share a report from the event soon! In the meantime, if you have joined a PAG or worked with us, please share your stories in the comments ❤️

06/02/2026

Youth in Karachi take action on air pollution 🌍

As part of the wider FRESHAIR4Life project, a 6-week youth-led social media campaign in Pakistan reached over 300,000 young people, sharing simple ways to reduce exposure to polluted air and protect health.

From traffic-filled streets to college campuses, the content reflected real-life experiences and showed that small actions can make a difference when young people are informed and empowered.

Partners including The Initiative, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Indus Yaqeen, Voices Against To***co and the Indus College of Nursing helped amplify youth-focused messages across platforms.

ELF supports the FRESHAIR4Life project, which brings together partners across countries to address air pollution and health.

Find out more: https://www.ipcrg.org/youth-led-freshair4life-social-media-campaign-in-karachi-raises-awareness-of-air-pollution-and

European Respiratory Society

05/02/2026

📖 New research suggests AI could help detect pulmonary hypertension (PH) in people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

In a study published in ERJ Open Research AI correctly identified PH in around 9 out of 10 cases, offering promise for a safer, non-invasive way to spot this serious complication earlier.

Earlier detection could support faster treatment, improved care and better quality of life for people with IPF.

Read our lay summary: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/new-findings-suggest-ai-can-detect-pulmonary-hypertension-for-people-with-ipf/

04/02/2026

💙 Today is

Early diagnosis can make a huge difference in lung cancer, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms.

There are many myths about lung cancer, such as:

🫁 Being too young for lung cancer

🫁 Only being at risk when you are a smoker

🫁 Getting a diagnosis means there are only bad outcomes

While anyone can get lung cancer, there are successful treatment options available to you. This is why ELF is a proud supporter of the SOLACE project, which aims to make lung cancer screening more accessible across Europe.

Learn more about Lung Cancer: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/lung-cancer/

03/02/2026

💻 Have you registered yet?

Join us for the 6th annual Bronchiectasis Patient Conference on 21 March as members of the ELF Bronchiectasis Patient Advisory Group (PAG) share their insights on living with the condition. We will also learn from experts who will discuss the latest research findings and clinical trials.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn more about the condition and how to improve your quality of life with !

Register today: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/bronchiectasis-patient-conference-2026/

02/02/2026

🫁 Yesterday was

Aspergillosis is a group of conditions caused by a type of mould called Aspergillus. Getting a diagnosis can be hard, due to a lack of awareness of the signs and symptoms.

At ELF, we are committed to improving patient experiences. Last year, we published a comprehensive information page on the condition, which is available in 9 languages. 💡

In November, we hosted the first ELF Aspergillosis Patient Conference alongside The Aspergillosis Trust and the National Aspergillosis Centre. 💻

The Aspergillosis Patient Advisory Group (PAG) supported both projects, ensuring that patient experiences and insight inform our resources. From patient stories to information on managing the condition, there is plenty of content to choose from.

🔗 Learn more about aspergillosis: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/lung-conditions/aspergillosis/

🔗 Watch the recording of our patient conference: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/aspergillosis-patient-conference-2025/

🔗 Learn more about our Aspergillosis PAG: https://europeanlung.org/en/people-and-partners/patient-advisory-groups/aspergillosis/

Our core content on Lung conditions and related factsheets has been translated to a number of other languages by our volunteer team.

31/01/2026

❓ Did you know over 900 different compounds have been found in indoor air, and some pollutants may be 2-5 times more concentrated inside rather than outside buildings.

At our upcoming Breathe Clean Air Patient Conference, we will explore the health impact of indoor air pollution and steps you can take to keep your lungs healthy.

Register now: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/breathe-clean-air-patient-conference-2026/

Learn more about indoor air pollution: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/keeping-lungs-healthy/indoor-air-pollution/

30/01/2026

🚭 A youth advocate from Romania’s Youth Advocacy Champions team joined an EU-focused event in Brussels to speak about the benefits of to***co taxation, sharing real-world experiences from their advocacy work and the impact to***co has on young people.

is an implementation research project, working with young people to develop new strategies for reducing the harm caused by to***co and air pollution exposure in different settings.

Find out more: www.ipcrg.org/freshair4life

29/01/2026

💙 Putting patient experiences at the centre of lung health

The ELF Working Group for ERS Congress activities met for the first time to discuss how to ensure patient priorities are at the heart of planning and delivery in 2026.

Earlier this month, 14 representatives met to discuss a variety of topics, from reviewing feedback from the 2025 Congress to identifying ways to align with the 2026 theme of “United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians and researchers.”

This is the first of many meetings that will put the voices of patients, carers and patient organisation’s at the heart of the event.

Learn more: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/elf-holds-first-meeting-with-working-group-to-plan-patient-input-into-the-ers-congress-2026/

27/01/2026

📖 New research highlights persistent gender gaps in well-being and career progression among lung health specialists.

A survey of 586 French pulmonologists found that women were significantly more likely to report anxiety, burnout and limits to career opportunities than men.

The findings point to an urgent need for reform to support equity, well-being and career progression in respiratory medicine.

Read the summary: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/new-study-highlights-gender-gaps-in-well-being-among-lung-health-specialists/

26/01/2026

💻 Digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping healthcare. But what does this mean for patients and the public?

Join us on 5 March for the ‘Developing people-centric digital and AI-enabled solutions for respiratory care’ online conference to learn more.

This event will:

💡 Discuss how digital health tools and AI are changing how lung conditions and cancer are prevented, diagnosed and managed
💡 Hear directly from patients and the public about their experiences and concerns
💡 Explore ethical, legal and social considerations, including trust, transparency, equity and access

Register now: https://europeanlung.org/en/get-involved/events/developing-people-centric-digital-and-ai-enabled-solutions-for-respiratory-care/

24/01/2026

📚🌍 On this International Day of Education, we celebrate the positive impact of educating young people about the importance of health!

The EU-funded project promotes education and awareness on respiratory heath, prevention and the importance of clean air.

🚀 By organising lung health checks and delivering educational materials to students in Poland, Portugal and Hungary, the project is engaging not only students, but also educators and parents. This helps ensure that health and prevention are prioritised both at school and at home.

👉 Learn more about the project and our work in schools https://shorturl.at/dzIx0