Every year nearly 350,000 Americans die of lung disease, the third most frequent cause of death in this country. An additional 25 million of us are living with chronic lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

The American Lung Association's fight against lung disease includes funding research on both a national and local level. Our National Research Program fosters basic and applied sciences related to asthma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and a host of other lung disorders.

Our Asthma Research Initiative includes three National Asthma Research Centers, which conduct basic asthma research, and an Asthma Clinical Research Centers Network. The Network, comprised of 19 premier medical research institutions, is developing large, practical clinical trials to address issues that directly affect those suffering with asthma. This effort represents the first time local Lung Associations have joined together to support a nationwide research initiative.

The American Lung Association also supports basic and clinical research through training and "seed" grants for beginning investigators. These grants play a critical role in attracting and retaining talented scientists focused on lung research.