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X-ray of a human lung.
Pace Center for Global Health

Events and Blogs

Upcoming Events

Unpacking the Chronic Respiratory Disease Epidemic: A Media Workshop March 2ÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ“6, 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa

In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pace Center for Global Health is hosting a specialized media training workshop aimed at increasing the quality and breadth of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) media coverage globally. Bringing together regional and international journalists, this five-day program provides specialized training, epidemiological data analysis, and direct access to leading public health experts and affected communities.

The workshop is designed to deepen participants' understanding of asthma, COPD, tobacco control, and the impact of air pollution. Through interactive expert roundtables and immersive field visits to local healthcare facilities, including the Pediatric Asthma Centre at Red Cross War Memorial ChildrenÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ™s Hospital and the Masiphumelele Clinic, journalists will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to report effectively on CRDs. This initiative aims to raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and call for policies that improve health outcomes.

Please stay tuned for more updates.

Recent Events

High-Level Planning and Brainstorming Meeting on CRDs February 4, 2026 | (Delhi, India)

As a part of its ongoing global advocacy efforts, the Pace Center for Global Health recently co-hosted a high-level Planning and Brainstorming Meeting to elevate Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) on India's national health agenda. Convened by the WHO Director-General's Special Envoy for CRDs in collaboration with ÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ, HRIDAY, and the Healthy India Alliance (India NCD Alliance), the strategic session brought together leading medical experts, researchers, and civil society partners.

The dialogue focused on translating recent global commitments, including UN and World Health Assembly resolutions on lung health, into actionable local policy. Participants tackled systemic gaps in primary healthcare, emphasizing the urgent need for improved early diagnosis, front-line healthcare worker training, and targeted strategies to combat the societal stigma surrounding respiratory illnesses. The group also explored environmental intersections, such as the severe impacts of household air pollution and climate change, while highlighting innovative, technology-driven screening solutions.

Looking ahead, partners proposed the formation of a National Task Force on CRDs and the development of a standardized "Lung Health Package" for primary care workers. The consortium is now building towards a major national milestone event aligned with World COPD Day in November 2026, which will showcase India's comprehensive roadmap for addressing CRDs.

Past Events

Two of the speakers at the World COPD Day conference in Malaysia, Jose Luis Castro and Dr. Somasundaram, posing together
Jose Luis Castro and Sonia Suchday at the media training workshop in Malaysia
Representative from National Cancer Society Malaysia giving a presentation on linkages between chronic respiratory, lung cancer and cost of treatment
Jose Castro at ERS event
Jose Castro at UN General Assembly event
Jose Luis Castro at the 34th Economic Forum along with other panelists

The two keynote speakers - José Luis Castro and Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram - posing together at the press conference held in Malaysia in anticipation of World COPD Day.

José Luis Castro and Dr. Sonia Suchday representing Pace Center for Global Health on the panel at press conference in Malaysia hosted to raise awareness about chronic respiratory diseases.

Representative from National Cancer Society Malaysia explaining influence of chronic respiratory diseases on developing lung cancer and cost of treatment.

at high-level side event during the 80th United Nations General Assembly 2025.

The Consulate of Denmark In New York hosted a high-level side event during the 80th UN General Assembly to advocate for national policies that integrate lung health into primary healthcare,

At the , José Luis Castro, WHO's Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, urged to integrate health into global climate efforts by emphasizing the link between clean air, climate policy, and public health; stating that "climate action is also health action.

Blogs