Modern Researchers in the Management of Chronic Lung Diseases

Abstract

Chronic lung diseases (CLD) continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The task force on CLD provides a consensus statement accompanied by high-quality reviews summarising the current state of CLD research and highlighting future directions. Despite wide geographic variations in risk factor exposure and disease prevalence, the complex and interconnected interplay of key factors is considered in low- and middle-income countries (Sandra Gould et al., 2023). In high-income countries, progress has been made in understanding and addressing some research priorities, but major inequities remain in vulnerable populations. Ongoing new threats have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration between researchers, governments, and policy-makers is essential to mitigate the impact of current and future challenges on lung health.

For researchers in academia and elsewhere, the past few years have been defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has brought new challenges, but also opportunities, to address chronic and newly emerging threats to lung health. A consensus statement focussing on chronic lung diseases is presented, along with accompanying reviews highlighting key research priorities. Chronic lung diseases (CLD) impose a substantial health burden worldwide, with millions of deaths every year. Policymakers in many countries prioritise cardiovascular disease, but an agenda to tackle the increasing burden of lung diseases is lacking (Ambrosino et al., 2015).