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🌏 Closing the gap on chronic respiratory disease IJTLD CRD – new open access journal focused on chronic respiratory diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

24,000+ attendees. 40+ global locations. A century of shaping lung health. Rio is where global lung health connects. Early bird registration: union2026.dev.urevent.fr #UnionConf2026 #LungHealth

“Their longstanding leadership in lung health, their deep engagement in high-burden countries and the truly global community which they bring together offer invaluable expertise to our shared mission." Robert Matiru, @UNITAID Read more: theunion.org/news/the-union…

Happening now at #WHA79 - From global commitments to integrated lung 🫁 health action. This official side event brings together Member States, partners and lived experience voices to advance early diagnosis of lung cancer and equitable access to inhaled medicines for #COPD and asthma. Powerful opening messages from the co-chairs @DrDzul Minister of Health of Malaysia 🇲🇾 and @Teddybird Secretary of Health of the Philippines 🇵🇭, underscoring that the 2025 @WHO resolution on integrated lung health - and the UN Political Declaration on NCDs - must now translate into concrete country-level implementation. Strong interventions from @JLCastroGarcia and partners highlight: 🫁 The urgency of integrating lung cancer, COPD and #asthma within UHC and PHC 🫁 The need to reduce fragmentation across disease programmes 🫁 The importance of aligning national benefit packages with global guidance 🫁 Ensuring affordable access to essential inhaled medicines 🫁 Leveraging #PHC platforms to deliver people-centred respiratory services With 580 million people affected globally, integrated #lung health is not a vertical issue - it is a #health systems priority tied to equity, financing, and sustainable reform. Country experiences from Kenya, Malaysia and the Philippines are demonstrating that implementation is possible, when political commitment is matched with coordinated action.

LIVE: Our official #WHA79 side event at 1pm CET ‘From Global Commitments to Integrated Lung Health Action: Advancing early diagnosis of lung cancer and access to inhaled medicines for COPD and asthma’ 📺 Tune in: membership.theunion.org/WHA79-side-eve… @uicc @FIRS_LungsFirst @EBCCoalition

🔍 A landmark KAP study explores why people with TB symptoms delay or avoid seeking care. Insights from 4,000+ respondents examine behavioural barriers helping shape stronger TB behaviour change campaigns in India. 📄 Full report: ow.ly/eyp750Z1xmV

2 DAYS TO GO until our #WHA79 side event in Geneva 🌍 Together with Ministry of Health Malaysia, UICC & FIRS, we’ll be bringing together global leaders and partners to discuss advancing action on asthma, COPD & lung cancer. Livestream available on the day. #LungHealth #UHC

The global lung health community is heading to Rio Registration is now open for the Union World Conference on Lung Health 2026, taking place 17–20 Nov in Rio de Janeiro 🎟️ ow.ly/Y6n550YYsu1 #UnionConf2026 #LungHealth

5 DAYS LEFT to submit your Community Connect Session for #UnionConf2026. From grassroots action to lived experiences and bold ideas in TB & lung health — take your work to a global audience in Rio de Janeiro. Deadline: 18 May 2026 (23:59 CET) Apply now: worldlunghealth.org/community-conn…

On #InternationalNursesDay Fernando Sanches, Chair of The Union Nurses and Allied Professionals Sub-Section (NAPs), recognises the dedication, impact and vital contribution of nurses and allied professionals worldwide. 🩺Full statement: ow.ly/ZHKY50YYgqX

New Members of the Conference Scientific Committee 🇧🇷 Dr Garima Bhatt, Dr Hojoon Sohn, Dr Joseph Baruch Baluku, Dr Julio Croda. Strengthening the scientific programme for #UnionConf2026. 🔗 worldlunghealth.org/our-teams/

We’re proud to introduce the Chairs for the Union World Conference on Lung Health 2026: Katharina Kranzer - Scientific Chair Anete Trajman - Local Chair 📍 Rio de Janeiro | 📅 17–20 Nov 2026 🔗 Discover what’s shaping #UnionConf2026 worldlunghealth.org/our-teams/

🌍 Your story matters Turn lived experience into impact at #UnionConf2026 Host a Community Connect Session 🗓️ 18 May deadline 🔗 worldlunghealth.org/community-conn…

Join us for our TB member group webinar: 💻Near Point-of-Care TB Testing: Transformative Diagnostics for Expanding Access — Science, Policy, and Real-World Lessons 📅Tue 5 May ⏰15:00 CEST | 18:30 IST | 16:00 EAT | 06:30 PT Registration + agenda 👉 ow.ly/St6O50YSnEa

Be part of the team behind a global health event Volunteer at the #UnionConf2026 📍 Rio de Janeiro | 17–20 Nov Gain hands-on experience and connect with a global community working in lung health. Apply now: ow.ly/natH50YR5tX

The CSC is live for #UnionConf2026 Meet the experts shaping this year’s programme, including Chidimma Okoye, Celso Khosa, Finn McQuaid & Hojoon Sohn. 📍 Rio 📅 17–20 Nov 🔗 Discover more: ow.ly/AatS50YR59b #GlobalHealth

Have you signed up for today's Zoonotic TB webinar? Decoupling Mycobacterium bovis exposure from infection: insights from a study on latent TB infection in UK farmers 📅 April 27 🕚 11am EDT / 4pm BST / 5pm CEST Learn more and register: ow.ly/9S0O50YMsxc

Union members - Please join our Town Hall meetings tomorrow April 24 Hear from Union leadership & ask questions 11:00 CEST/14:30 India/17:00 Singapore/19:00 Sydney and 15:30 CEST/09:30 EDT/06:30 PDT/19:00 India/21:30 Singapore Email membership@theunion.org for info

The most powerful insights don’t always come from the stage - they come from lived experience Bring yours to #UnionConf2026 through a Community Connect Session. 🗓️ 18 May 2026 🔗 worldlunghealth.org/community-conn… #GlobalHealth #CommunityVoices

Got an idea that could shape the future of lung health? Satellite session submissions are still open for #UnionConf2026 Lead the conversation. Share innovations. Take the global stage. 🗓️ Deadline: 27 May 2026 🔗 worldlunghealth.org/satellite-sess… #GlobalHealth #UnionConf2026

Volunteer at #UnionConf2026 Applications now open - gain hands-on experience & connect globally. Apply now at worldlunghealth.org/volunteers