Checking in on the Lung Health Cohort Research Study

The American Lung Association (ALA) Lung Health Cohort Research Study is aiming to provide pulmonary specialists what is available in spades across specialties like cardiovascular medicine: a robust data pool defining the progression of chronic disease in young adults.

The ongoing cohort trial aims to discern patterns in respiratory disease progression as they relate to lifestyle choices and patient demographics; it could potentially highlight new biomarkers for COPD and lung cancer, or refine understanding of the impact of environmental or socioeconomic factors on how asthma worsens over time. As is often the case with ongoing, longterm analyses, the potential for impact on the field is high.

In the latest episode of Lungcast, a trio of expert stakeholders in the Lung Health Cohort Research Study join the show to discuss its design, progress and potential. The featured guests include:

• Ravi Kalhan, MD, Louis A. Simpson Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine
• George Washko, MD, professor at Harvard Medical School and physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Amy Olson, MD, MSPH, executive director of medical affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) Pharmaceuticals

Lungcast is a monthly respiratory health podcast series hosted by Albert Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association (ALA), and produced by HCPLive and the ALA.

Rizzo and the group discuss the parameters of the ongoing, 4000-participant cohort, including its initial observations, hurdles in recruitment and representation, the utility of assessments, and support from industry including BI.

Subscribe to Lungcast on Spotify here, or listen to the episode below.