Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)COPD) and lung diseases such as asthma affectMillions of people, national economies, and even the entire planetAll have had profound impacts. Multiple health determinants—such as poverty, air pollution, and geographic location—can lead to poor health outcomes and pose significant challenges in screening, diagnosis, and implementing guideline-based pharmacological treatments.GDMT) of obstacles.

Lung cancer onlyIt causes 1.8 million deaths every year.As a result, lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.——It surpasses the combined incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Lung cancer disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries,LMIC) bears the heaviest burden,70% of cancer deathsSurvival rates in these regions are less than half of those in wealthier countries.

Early detection of lung cancer is crucial.More than 50% of lung cancer cases are already in Stage IV at the time of diagnosis.IVThe five-year survival rate for lung cancer is5%, while the five-year survival rate for Stage I lung cancer is 65%.

A targeted, resource-stratified early lung cancer detection strategy is key. The World Health Organization (WHOA comprehensive lung health resolution, expected to be adopted, will help accelerate the implementation of such solutions.

Unlocking early detection methods for resource layering

The resolution, intended for consideration at the World Health Assembly, aims to address shared risk factors and barriers in order to improve health outcomes for lung disease patients, strengthen health systems, and promote health equity. As part of these objectives, the resolution calls for renewed focus on early detection and diagnosis of respiratory diseases.

A successful resolution will outline a roadmap for transformation, urging member states to prioritize lung health issues—such as lung cancer—in their national health strategies and to launch screening programs while expanding access to these screenings.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the gold standard for lung cancer screening and risk assessment. However, due to limited accessibility and high costs,LDCTIt is difficult to achieve widespread adoption in many low- and middle-income countries. The proposed resolution timely addresses the integration of AI-assisted chest diagnostics.XLight sheet analysis asLDCTThe triage tool for assessment.

By analyzing with artificial intelligenceX，，LDCT，

：X

，XLDCT

CREATE，LDCT，X

X，3155，4742，，

，156%，2018，55%

，X，

，12000，2.6%，

（TB）4，（COPD）2-5X13.6，1733，500LDCT，133For example, lung cancer.

Comprehensive care pathways are essential—they bridge primary, specialized, and integrated healthcare services, guiding patients through triage, referrals, and ensuring they receive the best possible treatment.

Call for collective action

This bill, which is expected to passWHOThe resolution aims to promote early detection and diagnosis of lung diseases, followed by guideline-based pharmacological treatments across all pulmonary conditions.GDMT) provides an opportunity. To fully unlock this potential, collaborative implementation efforts are essential.

Policy makers can explore leveraging AI-powered chestXLight-sheet analysis integrated into screening algorithms serves as a triage tool, helping to achieve the goal of reducing non-communicable diseases while unlocking economic benefits.

Healthcare professionals can advocate for a tiered screening approach within their own systems, thereby improving patient health outcomes and optimizing resource allocation.

By considering the adoption of innovative technologies and exploring efficient practices in areas such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, and COPD, entities funding healthcare services can unlock greater value.

By embracing this resolution—expected to pass—we can prioritize the adoption of innovative new approaches aligned with its call to action, and by working together, we’ll pave the way toward a future where lung cancer is no longer a leading cause of death.