ANN ARBOR, Mich. – (April 24, 2023) – At a time when lung health is more
important than ever, today, the American Lung
Association in Michigan and University of Michigan Health System announced they
are now accepting participants in Michigan for a study of millennial
lung health. The University of Michigan is one
of 36 sites across the country conducting this study.
The American Lung Association Lung
Health Cohort Research Study is the first-ever large-scale lung health
study and will track 4,000 young adults (aged
25-35) at the age of peak lung health. Scientists across the country will
follow these millennials for approximately five years after their initial
interviews to evaluate how their environment, lifestyle and physical activity
habits affect respiratory health. Millennials interested in participating can
locate a site near them at Lung.org/Lung-Study.
“Historically, lung health has been studied only after the appearance of chronic lung disease. There is a critical need to better understand how a young, healthy adult’s lung function declines over time,” said MeiLan Han,
MD, professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care
Medicine, University of Michigan Health System; director of the Michigan
Airways Program; and principal investigator for the Lung Health Cohort at the
University of Michigan.
“In addition, here in Michigan, our residents face lung health threats like higher-than-average adult smoking rates, teen vaping, and smoke from Canadian wildfires. By studying the lung health of millennials in Michigan, we can determine how these factors impact respiratory function, and develop ways to prevent lung disease or catch it earlier.”
Here are
some details about the American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort study:
- It will follow
4,000 young adults at the age of peak lung health, from 25 to 35 years
old, in Michigan, as well as 35 other sites across the US, painting a
clear picture of lung health across geography and demography.
- Each
participant will be tracked for approximately five years on measures of
lung function, respiratory symptoms, and information including where they
have lived, where and what they did for work, as well as health behaviors,
fitness, biomarkers and chest imaging.
- This study
will use low-dose CT scans to track any signs of early or intermediate
lung injury or abnormalities, which clinicians can use to build a library
of lung images in various stages of health and disease.
- The Lung
Association's Airways
Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) Network will conduct the research
working closely with researchers at the University of Michigan. ACRC is
the largest national non-profit clinical network dedicated to asthma and
COPD research.
-
The longitudinal study is made possible through a $24.8 million grant
from the National Institutes of Health. As the study continues, the goal is to
renew the grant so the scientists can continue to follow study participants for
the rest of their lives.
Those
interested in participating in the study can
locate a site near them at Lung.org/Lung-Study.
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading
organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung
disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung
Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to
champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung
disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more
information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from
Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the
work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit:?
Lung.org 
