For Immediate Release
A New Era in Pneumonia Prevention Must Reach Those Most at Risk
FIRS Calls for Action on World Pneumonia Day 2026
Nov. 12, 2026 -- Pneumonia claimed an estimated 2.5 million lives globally in 2023, including 610,000 children under five. Despite being preventable and treatable, it remains a major cause of illness and death worldwide, particularly among young children and older adults.
On World Pneumonia Day, November 12, 2026, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which the American Thoracic Society is a founding member, is calling for greater access to the vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments that can prevent pneumonia and save lives.
This year's theme, 'A New Era of Pneumonia Control', recognizes the progress being made in pneumonia prevention, diagnosis and treatment. But new advances will only make a difference if they reach the people and communities at greatest risk.
The risk of pneumonia is closely linked to the conditions in which people live. Children affected by malnutrition, low vaccination coverage and household air pollution are particularly vulnerable. Almost half of all childhood pneumonia deaths are attributable to malnutrition.
Older adults also face significant risks. More than one in four pneumonia deaths among adults aged over 70 are attributable to air pollution and smoking. This underscores the need to address environmental risk factors as well as improve access to healthcare.
A New Era of Pneumonia Control
Advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), new interventions to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), improved diagnostic technologies and better access to effective treatments offer important opportunities to reduce pneumonia deaths.
Yet access to these advances remains unequal. Millions of children and adults still face barriers to vaccination, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and lifesaving oxygen therapy.
FIRS is calling on governments, health care organizations, global health partners and donors to take action to:
- Expand access to lifesaving vaccines: Improve coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), and new RSV vaccines and long-acting monoclonal antibodies, as well as influenza vaccines
- Improve early diagnosis and treatment: Strengthen health systems so that people with pneumonia can be diagnosed promptly and receive appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and oxygen therapy when indicated
- Address the underlying risk factors: Tackle malnutrition, household and outdoor air pollution, tobacco exposure and gaps in immunisation.
- Protect those most at risk: Prioritize prevention and care for children under five, older adults and people living with underlying respiratory conditions.
- Support research and innovation: Invest in the development of affordable vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments, and ensure these are accessible in low- and middle-income countries.
- Strengthen health systems: Equip and train health care workers to prevent, recognize and manage pneumonia effectively.
Pneumonia continues to take millions of lives despite the availability of effective ways to prevent and treat it. Scientific progress has brought new possibilities, but access to these advances remains out of reach for too many people.
FIRS urges governments and global health partners to make pneumonia prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment a priority, with particular attention to communities facing the greatest barriers to care.
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For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Helen Dugdale, Communications Lead, FIRS: Helen.Dugdale@firsnet.org / 07780 614898.
For more information on World Pneumonia Day visit https://stoppneumonia.org/latest/world-pneumonia-day/.
About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) brings together the world's leading international respiratory societies to work towards better lung health globally. Through the combined expertise and work of its more than 100,000 members worldwide, FIRS provides a collective voice for respiratory health and advocates for action to improve lung health for all.
FIRS comprises the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Thoracic Society (ATS), the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).
About the American Thoracic Society
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical society dedicated to accelerating the advancement of global respiratory health through multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and advocacy. Core activities of the Society’s more than 22,000 members are focused on leading scientific discoveries, advancing professional development, impacting global health, and transforming patient care. Key areas of member focus include developing clinical practice guidelines, hosting the annual International Conference, publishing four peer-reviewed journals, advocating for improved respiratory health globally, and developing an array of patient education and career development resources.
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All cited data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023), Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023), Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Seattle, USA.