The goals of the COVID-19 Action Initiative will be to expand the ALA’s respiratory research program, improve public health measures, and create an advanced network to prevent future respiratory virus pandemics. In cooperation with the public and private sectors, the initiative will promote research collaboration and develop new vaccines, diagnostic tests, and therapies. The initiative will take advantage of the ALA’s current research network and will also fund respiratory virus research. It also will fund education and advocacy to support public health measures against current and future respiratory viruses.
The COVID-19 Action Initiative will fund respiratory virus research through three main activities. It will expand COVID-19 research within the current clinical trials of the Airways Clinical Research Center (ACRC) Network. Second, it will fund coronavirus awards and grants for preventive research, vaccines, antivirals, and efforts to promote preparedness for future outbreaks. Third, it will provide ACRC pilot grants to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on patients with chronic lung disease.
“More than 36 million people in the U.S. suffer from lung disease, which places them at higher risk for experiencing complications of COVID-19, making it even more critical that we urgently work on reducing its impact,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the ALA, in a press release.
The ALA has $8 million available and earmarked for the initiative. The association plans to raise additional funds during the next 3 years by reaching out to corporate partners, public health entities, and individuals. “With the help of our staff and volunteers, and with the support and donations of generous Americans, we can stand together and face the challenges to lung health of today and tomorrow,” said Mr. Wimmer in a press briefing.