INDIANAPOLIS
– A new initiative is taking aim to improve the lung health of central Indiana
residents and provide a valuable resource to all Hoosiers.
‘Breathe
Better Indy’ brings together the unique resources of Franciscan St. Francis Health, American Lung Association in Indiana and Emmis
Communications. The program
will educate the community regarding the best ways to prevent, detect early and
manage common lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
“Chronic lung
disease, such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer, is a major health issue in
central Indiana,” said Christopher Doehring, MD, vice president of medical
affairs for Franciscan St. Francis. “Many lung diseases build silently over a
period of years and by the time patients develop symptoms the diseases are
often already at advanced stages.”
Each month,
Breathe Better Indy will focus on a different lung-related condition.
Leveraging the communications strength of Emmis Communications, the program
will build awareness of risk factors, ways to prevent disease and highlight
resources available in the community.
“Breathe
Better Indy will give Hoosiers access to information that could save their
lives,” said Tanya Husain, executive director of the American Lung Association
in Indiana. “Lung disease is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death of both men and women. Additionally,
about one-in-five Hoosiers suffer from lung disease, so it is vital that we
start focusing on our lung health.”
Breathe
Better Indy will be formally unveiled by the three partners at the American
Lung Association “Fight for Air Climb” event on March 8 at 11 a.m. at
D’Amore in the Chase Tower in downtown Indianapolis. Participants climb 47
stories in a timed event designed to build camaraderie and promote better
health and the prevention of lung disease.
