Healthy Lungs for Life and partners provide free lung health checks at Warsaw family event
Residents of the Polish capital Warsaw and the surrounding Mazovia region had the opportunity to check their lung health at a free spirometry testing event held as part of the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign.
13 August, 2026testing event held aspart of theHealthy Lungs for Life campaign. The free testing formed part of a family event at the PGE Narodowy – Poland’s national football stadium – with more than 100 people receiving a free lung health check, helping to raise awareness of the importance of lung health, clean air and preventive healthcare among the Polish public. Simple lung checks such as spirometry play a key role in early detection of lung conditions; Healthy Lungs for Life spotlights the importance of regular testing by promoting the use of spirometry, as well as simple actions that the general public can take to protect their lungs throughout the lifespan – including reducing exposure to air pollution. Raising awareness of early detection and community engagement for policy changeAir pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of serious and/or chronic lung conditions, including COPD and asthma. In Poland, more than6. 1 million peopleare living with a respiratory condition; each year, lung conditions cause more than 140,000 deaths, and cost thePolish economy around€51 billionevery year. Events such as this one, held as part of the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign and with support from the Clean Air Fund, also demonstrate the ways in which direct community engagement can help to build public support for policy change. Cleaner air contributes to better public health, saves lives, reduces pressure on healthcare systems and can help local communities thrive. The family event – of which spirometry was a new experience for many people attending – was organised within the National Health Fund Health Zone, and attracted thousands of visitors, including families, members of the uniformed services and voluntary blood donors. While most people taking the test received reassurance about their lung function, some were encouraged toseekfurther medical advice. In a small number of cases, the results suggested that follow-up assessment may be needed. Local partners help Healthy Lungs for Life to put a public spotlight on lung healthAlongside testing, visitors learned more about the effects of air pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular health, as well as practical steps they can take to protect their lungs in everyday life. The event also supported activities linked to the2026 Year of COPDthat was established by the Polish Healthy Lung Coalition under the patronage of Monika Wielichowska, Deputy Marshal of the Polish Parliament, and the Polish Ministry of Health. The initiative aims to increase awareness of COPD that is often diagnosed only after significant lung damage has already occurred. The event was delivered through a partnership between the Polish Healthy Lung Coalition (Polska Koalicja ZDROWE PŁUCA), the Polish Respiratory Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Chorób Płuc), the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute (Instytut Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc) and the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patient Associations (Polska Federacja Stowarzyszeń Chorych na Astmę, Alergię i POChP). In an official statement about the event, organisers said:“Early diagnosis can make a real difference for people living with COPD and other lung conditions. Simple tests like spirometry can help identify problems before they become more serious. ”Learn more about you can use the Healthy Lungs for Life campaignto organise an event as part of the EU’s first Screening Week (28 September–4 October).