World Lung Day – September 25

Why in News ?

• World Lung Day is celebrated every year on September 25. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about lung health and respiratory diseases.
• The theme of World Lung Day 2025 is “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life.”

• This day reminds us how important our lungs are and how harmful pollution, smoking, and bad air are to them.
• Earlier, this day was celebrated primarily to draw attention to smoking and lung cancer, but now it focuses on all lung-related diseases and public health.

Objectives of World Lung Day

• Raising awareness: Educating people about respiratory diseases and their risks
• Emphasis on prevention: Quitting smoking, reducing pollution, ensuring clean air
• Increasing access to healthcare: Facilitating screening, vaccination and treatment
• Encouraging scientific research: Focusing on new drugs and technologies
• Policy and law reform: Implementing policies for lung health in government and society

Lung Structure and Function 

Major lung diseases

Asthma

• Difficulty breathing, chest pressure, coughing
• Causes: pollution, dust, smoke, allergies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Chronic disease that reduces lung function
• Main causes: smoking and pollution
• Symptoms: shortness of breath, persistent cough, mucus

Lung cancer

• Main causes: smoking, air pollution, chemicals
• Early symptoms are mild; Later, cough, bloody mucus, and difficulty breathing.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of death globally.

TB

• Infection caused by bacteria
• Symptoms: cough, bloody mucus, fever, weight loss

Pneumonia and bronchitis

• Infection caused by bacteria or viruses in the lungs
• Symptoms: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing
• Children and the elderly are more susceptible.

Ways to keep your lungs healthy

• Avoid smoking and tobacco
• Eat a healthy diet and drink enough water
• Exercise regularly and do yoga
• Avoid pollution: wear masks, air purifiers
• Vaccinations: flu, tuberculosis, and pneumonia
• Health checkups: get regular lung tests
• Home air purification: plants, ventilation
• Pay attention to respiratory symptoms: cough, difficulty breathing, etc.