The American Lung Association’s educational initiative provides personalized guidance from respiratory therapists and nurses to help patients manage lung disease.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Free Educational Resources: The American Lung Association is offering free educational tools, including a 50-page workbook and community network access, to support patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
- Clinician-Led Navigation: Patients and caregivers can receive one-on-one support from registered nurses and respiratory therapists through phone calls, video consultations, and live online chat.
- Disease Management Support: The program assists individuals navigating progressive lung scarring by addressing clinical treatment options, second opinions, and insurance coverage.
In recognition of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in September, the American Lung Association is spotlighting a free program designed to support individuals living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), as well as their families and caregivers, according to the organization.
PF is a form of interstitial lung disease characterized by scarring in lung tissue that makes breathing increasingly difficult. While there is currently no cure, available treatments can help slow disease progression, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Personalized Support from Lung Health Navigators
A central component of the “Learning to Live with PF” program, which is supported by the Feldman Family Foundation, is access to Lung Health Navigators. These healthcare professionals, who include respiratory therapists and registered nurses, provide personalized guidance via phone calls, live online chat, and video calls in both English and Spanish.
“Pulmonary fibrosis is a life-altering diagnosis, and managing the disease can be overwhelming. But there are steps you can take to protect your lungs and make living with PF easier. Education and support are key,” said Harold Wimmer, president and chief executive officer of the American Lung Association. “We encourage everyone living with PF to speak with their healthcare provider about their diagnosis. However, we know there may be some questions that are difficult to bring up with a provider. This is where the Lung Health Navigators can help and serve as trusted messengers to provide information about PF self-management. Our Navigators are healthcare professionals who can take the time to answer your questions, offer guidance to better manage living with PF, and support you along your journey.”
Clinical Overview and Patient Tools
According to the association, there are more than 200 distinct types of PF. Known causes include exposure to hazardous chemicals, environmental or occupational injuries, complications from certain medications, chest radiation, and autoimmune disorders, as well as genetic factors. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of the condition, has no known cause.
Because PF is a progressive disease that worsens over time, ongoing clinical monitoring with healthcare providers is essential. Management strategies include medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation, with lung transplantation considered in severe cases. Lifestyle interventions such as proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management can also assist with symptom control.
In addition to one-on-one clinical navigation, the program provides a free 50-page Learning to Live with Pulmonary Fibrosis workbook mailed directly to homes in English or Spanish. The resource offers practical guidance on clinician communication, medical management, symptom treatment, nutrition, physical activity, and social support. Participants also gain access to the Patient and Caregiver Network, a nationwide community connecting individuals to peer support, education, and emerging research opportunities such as clinical trials.
“Our partnership with the American Lung Association has given us the important opportunity to fulfill our mission in helping those impacted by pulmonary fibrosis,” said Mitch Feldman, president of the Feldman Family Foundation. “The Learning to Live with Pulmonary Fibrosis workbook provides extremely vital and useful information along with great comfort to families, and we encourage others to enroll in the program.”
