Now Is The Time To Quit!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently published an update to its 1996 Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, which contains revised and improved recommendations to providers and clinicians so that they can better assist smokers in quitting.   Read more...

World Asthma Day
May 6th is World Asthma Day, organized to raise awareness and improve asthma care throughout the world.   Read more...

Minnesota Gets Passing Grades In State of the Air Report
One of the few states to have air quality in all of its counties meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for ozone and particulate pollution, Minnesota again scored well in the American Lung Association's annual State of the Air Report.   Read more...

Children More Vulnerable to Air Pollution
The effects of air pollution on children are becoming clearer according to recent stories in the news.   Read more...

Low Radon Levels May Reduce Risk Of Lung Cancer
According to a decade-long study, radon levels typically found in U.S. homes may not raise the risk of lung cancer.   Read more...

Flu Likely Comes From Asia
For over 50 years the global movement of flu viruses has been a mystery. However, a new study is suggesting that flu viruses evolve out of east and southeast Asia.   Read more...

Maternal Smoking Leads to Infant Heart Defects
New research shows that nearly 30 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age smoke.   Read more...

Easier Treatment For Allergic Asthma
A recent study found that children ages 3 to 18 years suffering with allergic asthma, may benefit from an "under the tongue" or sublingual therapy.   Read more...

Smoking and Lung Cancer Genetically Linked
A new study is suggesting that an individual's susceptibility to smoking, and number of cigarettes smoked may be biologically linked.   Read more...

Surviving Allergy Season
It's allergy season, and if you suffer from sneezing, sniffling, and itchy eyes, your symptoms are probably in overdrive.   Read more...

School Bus Emissions Cause Concern
Diesel exhaust has long been a culprit in lung disease issues such as asthma.   Read more...

Microwave Popcorn and Lung Disease
A recent study is suggesting that an ingredient in microwave popcorn can damage the airways and lungs.   Read more...

Smoking Increases Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke
A new study is suggesting that smoking may further damage blood vessels already weakened by high blood pressure.   Read more...

Flu Virus Wears An Overcoat
Researchers may have recently found a clue for the advancement of new flu treatments.   Read more...

New Exercise Technique May Be Beneficial For COPD
New research suggests that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients could benefit from lower intensity physical activity.   Read more...

New Recipe For Flu Shot
The recipe for next flu season's vaccine is getting a complete revamping to hopefully provide protection against the three new and different strains predicted for the upcoming year.   Read more...

Risk Of Colon Polyps Increases With Smoking
A new study suggests that smokers have a higher likelihood of developing polyps in the colon.   Read more...

Flu Vaccine May Fall Short In Protection
This year's flu vaccine may not protect as well as previously thought, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).   Read more...

Nearly 500 Participate in Race Up The Place
This past Saturday the American Lung Association of Minnesota hosted the Race Up the Place stairclimb at downtown St. Paul's Wells Fargo Place.   Read more...

Breast Cancer Treatment and Smoking Increase Lung Cancer Risk
A new study shows that women who smoke, and have undergone radiation treatment for breast cancer, dramatically increase their risk for developing lung cancer.   Read more...

Kids May Be Influenced By Movie Characters
A recent study suggests that youngsters may be influenced to start using tobacco due to watching movie characters who smoke.   Read more...

State of Tobacco Control Report Card Released
The American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2007 report, an annual report card on federal and state tobacco control legislation and policies, assigns only Ds and Fs to the federal government, but says 2008 presents an historic opportunity for Congress to make a dramatic impact on tobacco control across America.   Read more...

Record Setting Day For A Swim
A record number of polar plungers turned out on a sub-zero morning to jump into Lake Minnetonka's frigid waters.   Read more...

American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and Corporate Partners Raise the Standard for A Healthier, Greener Worksite
Living by its mission, the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest (ALAUM) recently remodeled its Saint Paul office this past summer to meet healthy design standards.   Read more...

Christmas Trees Aggravate Allergies
For a second year in a row, researchers are pointing toward the Christmas tree as the culprit for increased asthma, allergy, and sinus complications.   Read more...

New Christmas Seals® Website Launched
This year the American Lung Association is celebrating 100 years of Christmas Seals® by launching a new Christmas Seals® website.   Read more...

COPD - A Major Killer of Women
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an illness that claims the lives of 120,000 Americans a year. It is the fourth leading cause of death and is expected to be the third by 2020.   Read more...

Experts Release New Cystic Fibrosis Guidelines
New clinical standards for the treatment of cystic fibrosis were released recently, based on a two-year review of published research on patients aged six and older.   Read more...

Actress Jennifer Garner Kicks Off Faces of Influenza Awareness Campaign
Actress and mother Jennifer Garner joined leading medical officials at a press conference on Monday, November 12th to kick off the American Lung Association's national public awareness campaign, urging Americans to get their annual influenza vaccination.   Read more...

New Program will Recognize Exceptional COPD Efforts
The American Lung Association has partnered with The Joint Commission to develop a new program in which hospitals, clinics, and providers may obtain the Certificate of Quality Distinction for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).   Read more...

November is COPD Awareness Month
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis—diseases that are characterized by obstruction to air flow.   Read more...

American Lung Association Applauds Release of CDC Best Practices
The American Lung Association welcomes the update to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.   Read more...

COPD: Learn More, Breathe Better
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a serious lung disease that, over time, makes it hard to breathe.   Read more...

Sleep Tight, Breathe Right
Bedtime is anything but pleasant for people with allergies and asthma since that's very often the time when symptoms worsen.   Read more...

MMWR Reports Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has published new 2006 data on the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults and quitting among persons aged 18-35.   Read more...

FDA Regulation of Tobacco Debated in Committee
Today, the Subcommittee on Health of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce begins historic consideration of HR 1108, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.   Read more...

National Tobacco Conference Coming to Minneapolis
The 2007 National Tobacco Conference will descend on Minneapolis, MN at the end of October.   Read more...

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Cigarette Tax Increase
Last night the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a 61-cent-per-pack increase in the federal cigarette tax.   Read more...

Influenza Season Approaching
Influenza or "the flu" is not merely the common cold, but a serious respiratory illness.   Read more...

Minnesota Goes Smoke Free
Thirty-two years ago, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to pass a statewide law to protect public health by restricting indoor smoking in many public buildings and workplaces.   Read more...

Our Children Are Vulnerable
Today's announcement of a new program to protect children enrolled in Head Start from exposure to secondhand smoke is an important public health measure   Read more...

Disparities in Lung Disease
Diverse communities throughout the nation continue to be disproportionately affected by lung diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).   Read more...

Breath of Fresh Air!
Asthma education got a breath of fresh air today when updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma were released by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Association (NAEPP).   Read more...

Students May Be In Danger
According to a recent survey by the American Lung Association, students with asthma may face dangerous situations when returning to classrooms this year.   Read more...

ALAMN VP Appointed to NextGen Energy Board
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has appointed Tim Gerlach, regional vice president for clean fuel and vehicle technologies at the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, to the NextGen Energy Board.   Read more...

It’s Asthma Camp Season!
Have a blast this summer climbing ropes, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and making new friends who have asthma.   Read more...