American Lung Association Pushes for $62.9B in Federal Funding to Combat Lung Cancer
Event summary
- American Lung Association's 11th annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on March 25, 2026, brings 50+ lung cancer survivors and advocates to Capitol Hill.
- Advocates seek $51.3B for NIH research funding and $11.6B for CDC public health funding.
- Five-year lung cancer survival rate increased to nearly 30%, a 26% improvement over five years.
- Advocates also push for improved access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage.
The big picture
The American Lung Association's advocacy efforts come at a critical time as lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The push for increased federal funding aligns with broader trends in healthcare policy, where nonprofits are playing an increasingly active role in shaping legislative priorities. The organization's success in improving survival rates highlights the potential impact of targeted advocacy and research funding on public health outcomes.
What we're watching
- Funding Allocation
- How Congress will respond to the $62.9B funding request and its impact on lung cancer research and prevention.
- Policy Influence
- Whether the advocacy efforts will lead to sustainable policy changes for lung cancer screening and treatment access.
- Survival Rate Trends
- The pace at which lung cancer survival rates continue to improve with increased funding and research.