BOSTON – October 30, 2026 -- Nearly 150 million Americans now live in areas with unhealthy air quality, according to a new issue brief from nonprofit consultancy FSG that urges funders and policymakers to back community-led respiratory health programs.
The brief, titled "Improving Community Respiratory Health: Place-Based Lessons from the Field," was released in recognition of Lung Health Day. It draws on research and interviews with leaders from community-based organizations, philanthropy, healthcare and advocacy groups.
Six elements define effective place-based respiratory models
FSG identifies six common characteristics of successful models:
- community co-design
- multi-sector partnerships
- community health worker programs
- home-based interventions
- embedded measurement and evaluation
- supportive policy environments
The brief cites examples from Detroit, Michigan, and Western Massachusetts. In both, local organizations, healthcare providers and community partners have built collaborative approaches to reduce barriers to care.
Resource constraints limit organizations in high-burden communities
The report finds that communities with the greatest environmental burdens continue to see disproportionate rates of asthma and chronic lung disease. Many of the organizations serving them face significant resource constraints. It also names healthcare workforce shortages and inequities in access to care as drivers of the challenge.
FSG CEO John Harper said the issue is not a lack of promising solutions. He said local leaders need the support, partnerships and resources to sustain and scale them.
Three priorities anchor recommendations for funders and policymakers
The recommendations to funders, policymakers and practitioners focus on three priorities: driving urgency around community respiratory health, closing gaps in access to care and support services, and strengthening the long-term capacity of community health systems.
Sanofi supported the research. Sandrine Bouttier-Stref, the company's Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Foundation, said she hopes the brief will help catalyze funders and increase investment in scaling effective place-based solutions.