American Thoracic Society

01/17/2026

Measles cases have reached a 33-year high, endangering public health. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are raising awareness of these measles outbreaks by creating a searchable map using CDC data. Simply input your zip code and learn your risk level of contracting measles based on vaccination rates.

Learn more (via ABC7 News): https://abc7.com/post/measles-outbreak-map-how-spot-disease-risk-level-zip-code/18404987/

01/16/2026

According to research published in journals from the ATS, inhaling tear gas or pepper spray—even during a single incident—can harm respiratory function and increase the risk of lung complications for the general public, particularly those with serious lung diseases.

Read more: https://site.thoracic.org/press-releases/tear-gas-and-pepper-spray-pose-serious-respiratory-risks-ats-warns

01/16/2026

"These [deregulations] are about health effects in the here and now." That's how Andrew Mergen, Harvard Law School, explains the consequences of the cuts to federal agencies and laws. That is why ATS filing briefs is so important, as Mergen and host Gary Ewart, MHS, chief of advocacy and government relations for the ATS, discuss on the ATS Breathe Easy podcast.

Watch the full episode now or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts: https://youtu.be/naK6B12a4P8

01/15/2026

Applications to be featured at the 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit are now open! RIS highlights companies that are advancing the field of respiratory health by bringing together the brightest minds and innovators.

Apply before Feb. 13! https://site.thoracic.org/conference/program/respiratory-innovation-summit/apply-to-be-featured

01/15/2026

Early registration for is now open! Book your conference registration, events, dinners and forums all in one place to ensure you get the most out of the world's most important respiratory medicine conference. And ATS members get a discount, so renew or become a member today!

Register for today: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowATS261/Flow/ATT?atslogin=1&marketingcode=FACEBOOK

01/14/2026

📣 Calling all new or early-stage investigators! Got a research project or device idea you’re excited about? Take your ideas to the BEAR Cage for a chance to win funds to make your project a reality!

Submissions for the ATS 2026 BEAR Cage close Feb. 9, 2026: https://conference.thoracic.org/program/early-career-professionals/bear-cage.php

01/14/2026

It's Patient Voices Wednesday! Steve Edmonson, patient and advocate with the ARDS Alliance Inc, hopes that conferences like the ATS international conference will help doctors hear and see patients' struggles and strength in order to better treat them.

Hear his story in the 14th edition of Patient Voices: https://site.thoracic.org/advocacy-patients/par/patient-voices-interviews

Register for ATS 2026 today: https://conference.thoracic.org/

01/13/2026

"The ATS is grateful for the years of leadership and inspiration provided by Dr. Gibbons as director of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. We are particularly thankful for the significant investment he made in addressing health disparities in pulmonary, cardiovascular and blood diseases. We hope the science and the scientific careers launched by these investments continue to make enduring contributions to improving public health.” - ATS President Raed Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF.

Learn more:

Effective Jan. 31, 2026, Gary H. Gibbons, M.D., director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is

01/13/2026

What role do federal agencies play in your day-to-day life? As Nicholas Nassikas, MD, Harvard Medical School, explains, federal agencies affect your public health while at work and at home, and cuts to them could be disastrous for us all. Learn more on this latest episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast.

Watch the full episode now or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts: https://youtu.be/naK6B12a4P8

01/12/2026

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has transitioned from a print and online publication to a fully digital format.

This change, and new enhanced websites for all four journals, is part of the ATS's recently announced partnership with Oxford University Press to distribute all four ATS journals this year. The ATS still owns the journals, manages peer review, and maintains full editorial control. ATS members will continue to enjoy full access to all journal content at atsjournals.org.

01/09/2026

Congratulations to Tisha S. Wang MD, ATSF, on being named the chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Washington! Dr. Wang was also awarded the Outstanding Educator Award at ATS 2025's Respiratory Health Awards.

https://mednews.uw.edu/news/wang-new-department-chair

01/09/2026

Changes in Medicaid could have disastrous effects for individuals and families, as medical debt is set to increase drastically. Pediatric pulmonologist Shade Afolabi, MD, details the consequences these cuts will have to host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, on the ATS Breathe Easy podcast.

Watch the full episode now or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts: https://youtu.be/_kD4qWGwYZo