World Lung Day 2026

Ahead of World Lung Day, Ciara Mccormack, Project Director for PHA Ireland, represented Pulmonary Hypertension Association Ireland at Leinster House and Buswells, meeting political leaders, Ministers, TDs and Senators to highlight some of the key challenges facing people living with PH in Ireland with Colm Burke as political lead for the event.

Challenges for PH in Ireland, include delays in diagnosis, pressure on specialist services, the lack of a properly resourced paediatric-to-adult transition pathway, delayed access to new treatments, and the need for sustainable national funding and infrastructure for PH care.

Importantly, PH care must also go beyond diagnosis and medication. People need access to holistic, multidisciplinary support that addresses physical function, exercise, psychological wellbeing, education, self-management and quality of life.

The event ran by Asthma Society of Ireland brought lots of organisations from across respiratory health together to strengthen the patient voice and keep lung health firmly on the agenda.

25th September 2026 also marks the launch of the Irish Thoracic Society Respiratory Health of the Nation 2026 report, highlighting that respiratory disease accounts for 1-in-5 death in Ireland.