According to the latest report by the American Lung Association, death rates due to lung disease are currently increasing while death rates due to other leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke are declining. It is expected that by the year 2020, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will become the third leading cause of death. According to Bernadette Toomey, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, “Every year, about 400,000 Americans die from lung disease. With our report, Lung Disease Data, we hope to provide valuable information on lung disease to the public, especially to people who become ill and their family members who are caring for them.”

The American Lung Association categorizes lung disease as one of the following:

· Obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and COPD which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These all affect a person's airways and limit or block the flow of air in or out of the lungs.

· Infectious illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and tuberculosis (TB). Bacteria or viruses cause these diseases that can also affect the membrane (or pleura) that surround the lungs.

· Lung cancer. A disease characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

· Respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension. These conditions are caused by problems with the normal gas exchange and blood flow in the lungs.

· Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

· Occupational diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, caused by exposure to hazardous substances.

The American Lung Association strongly believes that if cigarette smoking, preventable premature childbirth, disregard for workers' safety and violation of clean-air laws were to end today, a future largely free of the most lethal forms of lung disease would be possible.

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