13 March, 2025
The ERS and European Lung Foundation (ELF) public awareness campaign Healthy Lungs for Life is heading to Colombia later this month for the World Health Organization’s Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, from 25–27 March.
For the first time, ERS and ELF have partnered with the World Heart Federation (WHF) to host ‘Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life’ in Cartagena, Colombia on 25 and 26 March.
The public event forms part of the WHO global conference; ERS, ELF and the WHF will be on the ground to offer both spirometry and oximetry testing for the general public.
Find the Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life public event at Parque Centenario from 15:30–19:00 COT on 25 and 26 March, 2025.
Lung function and blood oxygen levels are impaired by breathing polluted air; the event will raise awareness of this issue among the general public and will demonstrate the importance of collaboration across all health sectors in tackling the global air pollution crisis.
Anybody in Cartagena – including healthcare professionals and their patients – can attend the public event to learn more about how air pollution affects their health.
Why this event matters
Air pollution is the single biggest risk factor for mortality – even more so than high blood pressure and smoking. It is contributing to a global health crisis, with 99% of the world’s population breathing polluted air every day.
In addition, it contributes significantly to both respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions, creating a significant burden on public health systems worldwide.
In particular, prolonged exposure to polluted air can damage lung function and reduce blood oxygen levels, both of which have long-term health consequences.
How to get involved
Everyone in Cartagena and conference attendees are invited to participate in the event and take advantage of the free health tests. The testing will be offered at Parque Centenario from 15:30–19:00 COT on 25–26 March.
ERS and ELF involvement in WHO’s global conference
In addition to the Healthy Lungs and Heart for Life activities, ERS and ELF will be participating in the WHO global conference itself. Prof. Barbara Hoffmann – the ERS Advocacy Council Chair – and previous Environment and Health Committee Chair Prof. Zorana Andersen will both be speakers at the event, taking part in sessions within the main conference programme and in pre-conference sessions.
In addition, Dimitris Kontopidis (ELF Chair) and Pippa Powell (ELF Director) will be speaking at the WHO global conference.
ERS and ELF are grateful for the support of WHO, WHF and our other partners in making this initiative possible. These include Cartagena de Indias, Fundación Ayúdanos a Respirar, Lovexair Foundation, Fundación InspiraT, Latin Health Leaders, Fundación Fibrosis Quística Colombia, Fundación Neumológica Colombia.
Learn more about the WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health.