Finding reliable information about your lungs can feel overwhelming. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with a lung condition, are supporting someone you love, or want to protect your lung health, you may be wondering where to start.
Canada has a growing network of organizations, healthcare providers and community resources dedicated to lung health. While there isn’t one resource that includes every lung health organization and program across the country, national organizations can help connect people with trusted information, practical tools and opportunities for support.
The Lung Health Foundation is one place to start.
Where can Canadians find national lung health resources?
The Lung Health Foundation provides evidence-based lung health information and resources for people living with lung conditions, their families and caregivers, healthcare professionals and the broader public.
Our work spans the lung health journey—from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, care and support.
Through our website and programs, Canadians can find information about conditions such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer, along with resources related to smoking and vaping, air quality, children’s lung health and other factors that can affect breathing.
The Loop is another way to connect with lung health information and resources. It brings together educational content, videos and practical information to help people better understand their lung health and stay informed.
For healthcare professionals, researchers and other experts, the LHF Collaborative provides an opportunity to connect and work together to improve lung health across Canada.
Why do connected lung health resources matter?
Living with a lung condition can affect much more than your breathing. It can influence sleep, physical activity, work, school, travel and everyday routines. It can also bring questions about medications, treatment, lifestyle changes and navigating the healthcare system.
That’s why good lung health resources need to be more than a collection of medical facts.
People may need:
- Clear information about their condition
- Practical tools to support self-management
- Help preparing questions for healthcare appointments
- Information about treatment and care
- Guidance on reducing risk factors and protecting lung health
- Support for family members and caregivers
- Opportunities to connect with others
- Information about advocacy and improving lung health in Canada
Trusted resources can help people feel more informed and prepared when talking with their healthcare team.
What types of lung health resources are available?
The right resource depends on what you need.
Condition-specific information
If you’re living with asthma, COPD, lung cancer or another respiratory condition, start with information specific to your diagnosis.
Condition-specific resources can help you understand common symptoms, treatment approaches, questions to ask your healthcare provider and ways to manage your condition.
Practical tools
Information is often most useful when you can apply it to everyday life.
Depending on your condition, practical resources may include action plans, educational videos, medication and inhaler information, symptom-management tools and appointment preparation resources.
Prevention and risk reduction
Lung health isn’t only about managing disease. Resources can also help you understand how smoking and vaping, air pollution, workplace exposures and other environmental factors can affect your lungs.
During events such as wildfire smoke, for example, reliable information can help you make informed decisions about reducing exposure and protecting your respiratory health.
Support for families and caregivers
A lung condition can affect an entire family. Caregivers may have questions about treatment, appointments, symptoms or how to support someone at home.
Patient and caregiver resources can help families feel more prepared and informed.
Professional and community connections
Improving lung health requires collaboration across healthcare, research, government and communities.
Organizations such as the Lung Health Foundation work with healthcare professionals, researchers, people living with lung conditions and other partners to advance lung health across Canada.
How can you use national lung health resources?
Think of national resources as a starting point for understanding your lung health.
You can:
Before an appointment:
Write down your symptoms and questions and use trusted resources to learn more about your condition.
During treatment:
Use educational materials to better understand your treatment plan and discuss any concerns with your healthcare team.
At home:
Keep useful action plans, educational resources or other tools somewhere you can easily access them.
When supporting someone else:
Use reliable information to better understand what your family member or loved one may be experiencing and how you can support them.
For ongoing lung health:
Return to trusted resources as your needs change. Your questions may be different after a new diagnosis, during treatment or when managing symptoms over time.
Your lung health journey doesn't have to be navigated alone
Canada has a range of organizations and resources working to improve lung health. You may not find every program or organization in one place, but national lung health organizations can provide a trusted starting point and help you find information that is relevant to your needs.
The Lung Health Foundation is committed to helping Canadians better understand their lungs, prevent lung disease and support people living with lung conditions and their families.
Whether you’re looking for answers, practical tools or a place to start, we’re here to help you take the next step toward better lung health.
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