The EU tests lung health in schools for the early detection of respiratory diseases
Brussels, November 19, 2025 – The European Union marks World BPOC Day by presenting two European projects that change the way respiratory diseases are detected, including for the first time systematic lung testing in schools and digital monitoring for vulnerable patients. The initiatives are funded through the EU4Health program and are designed to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
Research conducted within the LungHealth4Life (LH4L) project, based on the Healthy Lungs for Life for Schools initiative, shows that lung function impairment can begin as early as childhood but remains undetected for years. The program conducts lung health tests and educational activities in schools located in environments with varying levels of pollution, including children aged between six and eleven years. Among the factors influencing lung development are exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, infections in the early years of life, and genetic predisposition.
The program's objective is the early prevention of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by identifying exposed children and reducing risk factors. "By checking lung health directly in schools and reducing children's exposure to tobacco smoke and pollution, we can prevent lung conditions that would otherwise remain undetected until adulthood," the project's conclusions state.
The second project presented, Joint Action on chronic REspiratory Diseases (JARED), aims to reduce the burden of chronic respiratory diseases – from COPD to asthma – through tools that facilitate the early recognition of symptoms and disease management. The project emphasizes digital and telemedicine solutions that allow for patient monitoring directly from home, with a priority for disadvantaged communities. The measures also include actions related to improving indoor air quality, promoting vaccination, and increasing awareness of the risks of smoking, pollution, and new nicotine products.
Both initiatives are funded through the EU4Health program, the largest European program dedicated to health, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). The program was created to support the resilience of health systems in the EU and to accelerate preventive measures, in response to both the lessons learned from the pandemic and the increasing pressures on health systems.
The next steps of the projects include expanding lung testing in more European regions, developing new digital tools for patients, and strengthening European networks for prevention and education on respiratory health.
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