OWC Health Awareness Series: Respiratory & Lung Health Awareness

OWC Health Awareness Series: Respiratory & Lung Health Awareness

Respiratory and lung health is essential to daily life, yet early symptoms of lung-related conditions are often overlooked or dismissed. Breathlessness, a persistent cough, or reduced exercise tolerance are easily ignored, especially for busy working adults. However, respiratory illnesses remain one of the leading causes of chronic health impairment worldwide, affecting energy, productivity, and long-term quality of life.

Respiratory Care Week is recognised globally from October 19-26, alongside COPD Awareness Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November. These campaigns aim to increase awareness of preventable respiratory conditions and promote early diagnosis and intervention. For international employers and globally mobile employees, respiratory health is especially important due to increased exposure to air pollution, travel-related respiratory infections, and variations in access to specialist care across regions.

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Understanding the Impact

Respiratory diseases affect more than 500 million people globally and are among the top contributors to disability and healthcare costs. Some of the most common conditions include:

• Asthma – A chronic inflammatory condition causing narrowed airways, wheezing, and breathlessness.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – A progressive lung condition that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is often diagnosed late because symptoms are misattributed to ageing or fitness levels.
• Respiratory infections – Pneumonia, bronchitis, and viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19 can significantly affect lung function.
• Lung cancer – One of the deadliest cancers due to late diagnosis, often presenting with subtle early symptoms.
• Long COVID and post-viral lung issues – Persistent respiratory symptoms following viral infections are increasingly reported among working-age adults.

Key risk factors include:

• Family history of lung disease
• Long-term exposure to poor air quality and pollution
• Occupational exposure to dust, chemicals, or irritants
• Frequent travel or urban working environments
• Low physical activity and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness
• Past respiratory infections that weaken the lungs

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What You Can Do

Early identification and prevention can significantly improve long-term respiratory health. Employees can reduce risk and protect lung function by taking the following steps:

1) Know the warning signs Seek medical evaluation if experiencing:

• Shortness of breath during light activity
• A cough lasting more than three weeks
• Wheezing or chest tightness
• Persistent mucus production
• Unexplained fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
• Coughing up blood (requires urgent evaluation)

2) Stay up to date with vaccinations Annual flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters, where recommended, help prevent respiratory infections that can lead to more serious complications, especially in individuals with asthma or other chronic lung conditions.

3) Monitor air quality Poor air quality is a major trigger for respiratory symptoms. Employees living in cities with high PM2.5 pollution levels should:

• Track air quality via trusted apps
• Use indoor air purifiers where possible
• Limit outdoor exercise during high pollution days

4) Improve breathing capacity Healthy lung function benefits from:

• Regular walking or cardio activity
• Simple breath training exercises
• Good posture and regular stretching to open airways

5) Seek medical care early Many respiratory conditions are manageable if identified early. Primary care physicians or pulmonology specialists can perform lung function tests such as spirometry to assess breathing capacity and detect potential issues before they progress.

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How Employers Can Support and Amplify Awareness

Employers play a critical role in helping employees recognise and act on respiratory health risks. Support can be practical and cost-effective:

Promote preventive care

• Remind staff to complete annual check-ups that include respiratory assessments
• Encourage use of spirometry testing for high-risk employees

Support air quality awareness

• Share local air quality monitoring resources
• Improve indoor workspaces through HVAC maintenance and optional air purifiers

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Resources: Employee Toolkits/Educational Materials

NHLBI Protect Your Lungs for Life Fact Sheet >>
NHLBI COPD Social Media Resources to Help People #BreatheBetter >>
American Lung Association Lung Cancer Screening Resources >>
LUNGevity Lung Cancer Basics & Screening >>

# Common social medical hashtags for respiratory & lung health awareness

#RespiratoryCareWeek #COPDAwareness #LungCancerAwarenes #BreathIsLife #HealthyLungs

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Why Awareness Matters for Employers

Respiratory conditions are a significant contributor to employee absence, reduced energy levels, and preventable long-term health costs. For global employers, especially those with internationally mobile talent, supporting respiratory awareness:

• Improves employee wellbeing and productivity
• Reduces avoidable medical escalation and emergency claims
• Encourages early use of primary care rather than emergency services
• Promotes smarter use of preventive benefits within corporate health plans
• Builds a culture of proactive risk management in employee health

Employers do not need to become medical experts to make an impact. Simple actions such as awareness, access to prevention, and clear communication about available benefits can make a measurable difference.

** Important Note: While we help guide members to high-quality options, OWC Care does not act as a medical referral service. The final decision on where to seek care rests with the individual. We are not liable for any decisions made by the member or the medical provider.