We’re championing respiratory health for all Canadians
The Lung Health Foundation is the premier resource on lung health for all Canadians. With a focus on research, education, and advocacy, we’re working tirelessly to prevent lung disease, help people manage their lung conditions, and promote policy change to create a world where everyone can breathe easier.
Add your voice and help us create breathtaking changes!
O, Canada!
Canada has developed national strategies for virtually all other major chronic disease areas, but lung disease remains overlooked and underfunded.
However, lung disease is the fourth leading cause of death among adults, and lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death.
With a burden this high, does it make sense for lung health to be locked out?
We won’t rest until we’ve paved the way to healthy lungs for all Canadians
To get there, we pledge to:
- Support and empower people living with lung disease, and those close to them
- Elevate lung health awareness
- Partner with like-minded organizations and work towards our shared goals
- Influence the federal and provincial governments to enact legislative and regulatory changes that result in real-world improvements to the lung health of Canadians
What we’re advocating for
When it comes to lung health, we’re not all starting from the same place. Some Canadians face poor air quality, some have difficulty accessing the healthcare they need, and some require extra support to live smoke-and-vape-free. Many need all of this help and more to breathe their best.
Achieving lung health equity will mean that everyone has the same opportunities to breathe clean air, get the right treatments, and live a healthy life. Getting there will take multiple changes, big and small, at every level of government.
To start the wave of change, we are currently focused on
four key advocacy and policy goals:
Lung Cancer
We’re advocating for improved access to lung cancer screening and innovative treatment options.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
We’re advocating to make sure that Canadians are screened for COPD and are given the support needed to live their lives to the fullest.
Smoking/ Vaping
Prevention & Cessation
We’re advocating for effective regulations that limit product access while promoting accessible resources to help Canadians quit.
Air Quality
We’re advocating for policies that create healthy homes free from the harmful effects of air pollution and radon.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
Building a movement to advance advocacy and policy
In addition to hosting our own advocacy and policy initiatives, the Lung Health Foundation is working with other key leaders in the healthcare sector to create change.
The National Lung Health Alliance
The National Lung Health Alliance (NLHA) represents a remarkable intersection of provincial lung health charities and other like-minded organizations, all united by a common purpose — to champion vital issues in lung health! Rooted in collective decision making, the National Lung Health Alliance is about working together to maximize our impact. The Lung Health Foundation currently serves as secretariat of the National Lung Health Alliance.
Learn more about the National Lung Health Alliance and our current initiatives.
Some past NLHA initiatives:
Women and COPD briefing note
July 2024 letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: Smoke-free Generation: Protecting Canada’s Youth from the harmful effects of smoking and vaping now and in the future
National & provincial coalitions and alliances
The Lung Health Foundation is a proud member of:
Alliance for a Tobacco Free Ontario (ATFO)
ATFO works to protect Ontarians from the harmful effects of smoking, vaping, and nicotine addiction.
Right2Survive
Right2Survive works across Canada to spread awareness of the vital importance of lung cancer screening and urges governments to improve access. Learn more at Right2Survive.ca.
Cancer Action Now Alliance (CANA)
CANA brings together patient organizations, professional associations, and life sciences companies from across Canada to call on governments to address the issues in our cancer care systems so that Canadians with cancer have a chance to live longer, better lives. Learn more at CancerActionNow.ca.
Global Airways and Allergies Patient Platform (GAAPP)
GAAPP’s mission is to globally support and empower patients with allergies, airways and atopic diseases by protecting their rights and insisting on the duties of governments, healthcare professionals and the general public.
GAAPP’s vision is to create a world where patients with allergies, airways and atopic diseases live better. Learn more at gaapp.org.
Provincial Spotlight: Ontario
Did you know that the Lung Health Foundation wasn’t always a coast-to-coast organization? Prior to 2020, we were known at the Ontario Lung Association, and more than a century of work in Ontario has given us special insight into the province’s needs.
Join our community to stay informed about our upcoming advocacy and policy events, or view our historic Policy Forums here
You’re invited to the
Lung Health Foundation’s
Breathe Change Policy Forums
Meet the issues (and the solutions)
The link between your breathing and public policy is stronger than you may think!
Presented by the Lung Health Foundation, Breathe Change has been introducing Canadians to the hottest topics in lung health since 2023. These free and accessible events turn advocacy into action by bringing diverse groups together to co-create actionable, real-world solutions to critical gaps in our healthcare system.
Our leadership across multiple lung conditions and our holistic approach to lung health make us uniquely positioned to bring the right people together and find innovative and efficient solutions to emerging respiratory health issues. As a registered patient organization, “the right people” will always include people with lived experience. Breathe Change is a platform that allows them to advocate for change.
2025-2026 Policy Forums: Coming soon!
2024-2025 Policy Forums:
- The Global COPD Index Forum: How Does Canada Compare and How Can we Drive Change in Lung Health Policy (February 27, 2025) View the recording
- Understanding Canada’s Radon Gas Exposure Crisis: The Non-Smoking Gun of Contemporary Canadian Lung Cancer (December 4, 2024) View the recording
- Exploring Mobile Lung Cancer Screening: Innovative Approaches for Early Detection (October 30, 2024) View the recording
2023-2024 Policy Forums:
View our archive to explore topics related to COPD, lung cancer, and youth smoking & vaping!
Take Action!
Our advocacy and policy opportunities are constantly evolving, so check back often!
Here’s how you can make a difference right now:
Here’s how you can make a difference right now:
Join The Loop
Co-designed by those touched by lung conditions and the Lung Health Foundation, The Loop is a vibrant community network facilitating access to resources, programs, support, and opportunities to drive change so that you can breathe a little easier. The Loop members will receive a monthly newsletter keeping them “In the Loop” on new developments and opportunities in lung health. Learn more and join.“
Sign the Smoke-Free Generation pledge
Want to help address the youth vaping epidemic? Sign our pledge to show our leaders that Canadians are serious about helping youth live smoke-and-vape-free!
SIGN THE PLEDGE
Inform the Future of Lung Health Treatments
Your voice can unlock hope for others and inform the government on which treatments to publicly fund.
Join an Advisory Committee or become an advocate
We’re always looking for passionate advocates! Whether you have a personal connection to lung disease or just want to promote lung health, we need your voice.
LEARN MORE AND MEET OUR ADVOCATES
Share your lung cancer experience through a Patient Input Survey
Your voice can unlock hope for others and inform the government on which treatments to publicly fund.
Take our Lung Cancer Experiences Survey
Get Involved!
We’re always looking for passionate advocates! Whether you have a personal connection to lung disease or just want to promote lung health, we need your voice to breathe change.
On a volunteer basis, you could choose to:
- Meet with Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) or Members of Parliament (MP) regarding lung health initiatives
- Attend events or face-to-face meetings related to lung health advocacy and promotion
- Share your story at different speaking opportunities such as patient advocacy days or policy forums
- Join letter writing campaigns to advocate that specific policies or programs be implemented
- Be featured in our e-newsletters and resources
The Lung Health Foundation encourages you to join one (or both!) of our community networks for resources and support to aid your journey towards driving important policy changes and advocating for better lung health.
Both networks provide a monthly newsletter designed to keep you informed of the types of upcoming opportunities that are most meaningful to you.
Learn more and join:
The Loop – intended for those with lived experience, their caregivers and family members.
LHF Collaborative – designed for health professionals and researchers.
You can also reach out to us directly at advocacy@lunghealth.ca.