The ATS International Conference provides a “big tent” for people from diverse disciplines, countries, and perspectives to come together to share insights and ideas for improving respiratory health.

The ATS also includes many outside organizations in this conversation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association, the National Institute of Nursing Research, NASA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, are all among the organizations that will host sessions.

“ATS 2018 Outside Organization Sessions offer a wide variety of perspectives and expertise that are complementary to the main meeting,” said Jess Mandel, MD, chair of ATS International Conference Committee. “I hope that attendees will review the offerings closely for the unique opportunities that they offer."

Here are some highlights from 27 sessions that are being organized by outside organizations during ATS 2018:

“Caregiving and Self-Management: A Scientific Update from ATS and NINR” (L5)

Co-hosted by the National Institute of Nursing Research, this session will report on innovative approaches and new tools for caregiving and meeting patient needs in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. One talk will focus specifically on caregiving for children and young adults with cystic fibrosis.

“Research Breakthroughs from NHLBI’s Centers for Advanced Diagnostic and Experimental Therapeutic Program” (L6)

Researchers funded through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Center for Advanced Diagnostic and Experimental Therapeutics (CADET II) Program will share their experiences in translating their own discoveries into therapeutic products for pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma.

“American Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers Clinical Trials” (L11)

During this session, researchers will present for the first time the results of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study and the Mobile Devices to Streamline an Asthma Clinical Trial (MICT).  ACE compared the diagnostic accuracy of three anxiety screening questionnaires. MICT tested the hypothesis that the Internet and mobile devices would increase participation in an asthma clinical trial and reduce costs.

Preventing Half a Million Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalization in Children (L21)

Controlling Childhood Asthma Reducing Emergencies (CCARE) is a new CDC initiative that focuses on public health issues like second-hand smoke and promoting health care collaboration and asthma self-management. Attendees at this session will learn about opportunities to improve asthma care in their state and region through CCARE.

“Veterans Health Studies and Programs in Pulmonary Deployment Health” (L22)

Many of the 2.5 million U.S. veterans who served in the Middle East were exposed to high levels of particulate matter from dust storms, burn pits, and other sources. This session will outline the respiratory health conditions being assessed by researchers funded by the Department of Defense and the VA.  Presenters will also provide information about resources for additional research in this area.

“NIEHS Nanotechnology Health Implications Research Consortium” (L24)

The National Institute of Environmental Health Science created the Nanotechnology Health Implications Research Consortium to begin to understand the molecular and pathological pathways involved in the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials, which are ubiquitous in consumer products. This session will highlight ongoing efforts and provide information about opportunities for collaboration among materials scientists and toxicologists.

Lessons Learned from NHLBI Sponsored Inhaled Program: HIV and Aging (L27)

Are the pulmonary complications associated with HIV a model for premature aging? This session will explore similarities and differences in lung disease found in HIV-infected subjects and non-HIV infected aging populations, with a focus on the pathogenic mechanisms leading to chronic inflammation.

New Results from the COPDGene Study (L29)

During this session, new results will be presented from the COPDGene study, which has enrolled the largest cohort of well-characterized current and former smokers. Among the topics to be discussed:  protein biomarkers, genetics, transcriptomics, and the diagnosis and prognosis of COPD patients.

Visit our conference site to learn more about these and other sessions  available at ATS 2018. Make sure to download the ATS 2018 Conference app for immediate access to session information, convention center maps, and FAQs.