‘Take the active option": 500 participants in the Prater support ’Healthy Lungs for Life’
Running and walking for lung health: under the motto ‘Take the active option’, 500 active people from over 50 nations got the day off to an active start on Tuesday, 10 September in Vienna's Prater Hauptallee. A 5 km run and 2.5 km walk were on the programme, starting at 7:30 am.
Everyone supported the ‘Healthy Lungs for Life’ campaign in Vienna's ‘green lungs’. Many of them were taking part in the ERS Congress for Lung Research with around 20,000 lung specialists, which is currently taking place in Vienna. Running enthusiasts from the Viennese running community also took advantage of the fully booked competition for a motivating morning run in an international environment.
The focus was on sporting activity, taking part and raising awareness. Coffee and breakfast pastries after the run also ensured a good atmosphere.
Congratulations to everyone who actively took part and reached the finish line!
We would also like to honour the fastest runners of the day. Christoph Kuhm in 18:09 minutes & Louise Kalmuk in 19:55 minutes in the 5 km run and Jaap Cleutjens in 16:55 & Sofie Arnetorp in 17:25 minutes in the 2.5 km walk.
The entire entry fee for the run was donated to ‘Healthy Lungs for Life’.
This campaign focuses on measures to strengthen the lungs and reduce risk factors. These include, in particular, smoking and air pollution in connection with climate change. The education and information initiative was launched by the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS).
Monika Gappa, President of the ERS, who gave the starting signal on site: ‘Impaired lung function can lead to a variety of health problems that can significantly impair quality of life. Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are widespread and can begin at a young age.’
VCM Group organised the morning run
The run was organised by the VCM Group for the European Lung Foundation. ‘Healthy lungs and a healthy environment - that's what everyone needs. We are delighted to have made a contribution to this with this running and walking event together with a renowned partner,’ says VCM Managing Director Kathrin Widu.
‘Public Days’ at the Giant Ferris Wheel Square
On the weekend of 7 - 8 September, interested parties were able to have their lung function tested free of charge using spirometry at the Giant Ferris Wheel Square in Vienna's Prater. These are simple tests to assess the performance of the lungs. They can help to recognise respiratory diseases at an early stage and provide an indication of how each individual can promote their own lung health. Important measures to strengthen the lungs are just as much a focus as the reduction of risk factors: these include smoking and air pollution in particular.
Mobile test stations promote early detection among schoolchildren
On 9 and 10 September, there were focus campaigns at selected Viennese schools. Several hundred pupils had the opportunity to have their lung function measured free of charge at mobile test stations. They will also learn about the importance of lung health in a fun way through quizzes and workshops. Behaviour in childhood already influences our lung health in later life and it is therefore all the more important to develop an awareness of this at an early age.
Public workshop at the ERS congress
Led by ERS President Professor Monika Gappa and ELF Youth Group Chair Ed Powell, a workshop open to the public on Wednesday 11 September will discuss how to ensure that children's lung health is placed higher on the political and public health agenda.
Learn more about
• ELF – European Lung Foundation
• ERS – European Respiratory Society
