By supplying oxygen to the body and filtering harmful substances like carbon dioxide, the lungs play an essential role in an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.
Forming part of the respiratory system, the lungs are part of a group of organs and tissues that work together to help you breathe.
“Every single cell in your body needs oxygen to live,” says Dr. Chris Casso, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, a family medicine physician who serves as the market physician leader with STHS Clinics. “The air we breathe contains oxygen and other gases. It’s the respiratory system's primary function to move fresh air into your body while removing waste gases. Your lungs and respiratory system automatically perform this essential process, which is called gas exchange.”
Unfortunately, nearly 35 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with lung disease, according to the American Lung Association, with 15.4 million adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an ongoing condition caused by damage to the lungs that causes long-term breathing problems.
Over time, poor lung health can lead to a variety of negative impacts, from respiratory symptoms like a chronic cough and shortness of breath to systemic health problems affecting the heart, brain and immune system.
“Lung disease can impact respiratory function, or the ability to breathe, as well as pulmonary function, which is how well lungs work,” says Dr. Casso. “That’s why it’s important to maintain healthy lungs; it’s crucial for preventing serious respiratory illnesses like COPD, pneumonia and lung cancer.”
To help educate Rio Grande Valley residents on role the lungs play in our overall wellbeing and how to protect them, South Texas Health System will dedicate its latest Let’s Talk Your Health webinar to lung health.
Broadcast live on the STHS Facebook Events page on Tuesday, October 21, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., the online seminar will offer important education on common lung diseases and how they’re diagnosed and treated, as well as strategies to reduce one’s risk of developing lung issues.
For more information on the webinar, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. To watch previous Let’s Talk Your Health Seminars, visit STHSLetsTalk.com.
Who: South Texas Health System
What: FREE virtual seminar entitled “Let’s Talk Your Health – Lung Health”
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Online via STHS’ Facebook page
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
