Millions of people around the world struggle to breathe, and more than 10 million die each year due to lung diseases including tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, influenza, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nonetheless, lung health is less well recognized as a key health indicator as compared to blood pressure or weight. Lung diseases afflict people in every country and every socioeconomic group, but take the heaviest toll on the poor, the old, the weak and the young. There is a critical need to raise awareness of the importance of lung health and bring it to the top of the public health agenda.