American Lung Association Targets Bronx Air Quality Crisis

The four-year project connects major local providers—including SBH Health System, BronxCare, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln—with community organizations like Urban Health Plan to overhaul how patients navigate poor air quality. Providers will receive specialized training to manage lung disease during climate-related events, while residents gain access to localized data and new educational resources aimed at minimizing health risks.

This expansion arrives as climate-driven environmental stressors become a standard public health challenge. Harold Wimmer, CEO of the American Lung Association, noted that the intersection of extreme heat and pollution creates an urgent threat for those with COPD and asthma. To support this, a new free online course provides caregivers and patients with actionable strategies to monitor and respond to unhealthy air days.