American Lung Association Launches Campaign to Boost COVID-19 Therapeutic Utilization — American Lung Association

Event summary

American Lung Association launched a campaign on July 28, 2026 to educate healthcare providers about underutilized COVID-19 therapeutic options.
CDC estimates 3.8-12.3 million COVID-19 illnesses, up to 250,000 hospitalizations, and 41,000 deaths in the U.S. from October 1, 2025 through May 2, 2026.
Only 18% of adults and 9% of children received COVID-19 vaccines during the 2025-26 respiratory virus season.
Antiviral use remains under 15%, with only 16% of eligible patients receiving treatment within 5 days of infection.

The big picture

The campaign addresses a critical gap in COVID-19 management, where proven-effective treatments and preventive measures remain underutilized despite persistent public health challenges. This initiative aligns with broader trends in healthcare focusing on targeted education to improve outcomes for high-risk populations. The American Lung Association's efforts could set a precedent for how non-profit organizations engage in public health advocacy through provider education.

What we're watching

Provider Awareness: How effectively the campaign increases healthcare provider knowledge of available COVID-19 therapeutic options.
Patient Uptake: Whether the education efforts translate into higher utilization rates of preventive and treatment measures among high-risk patients.
Therapeutic Evolution: The pace at which emerging therapies are integrated into standard care protocols for COVID-19 management.