Juan C. Celedón, MD, DrPH

300 million people have asthma. A joy co-authoring this @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social MS: Genetic+ environmental risk factors for asthma: towards prevention, led by G Koppelman+G Bruselle with @erikmelen.bsky.social+ M Pino as co-authors @atscommunity.bsky.social authors.elsevier.com/c/1ls9A7tFB1...

Unclear.

...with $800 million cuts to "EDI" research used as an example. Yet such "savings" would be enormously costly while eroding the right of all human beings to live healthy lives. I hope that our leaders will do what’s right for our nation’s sake. @ats-assemblies.bsky.social #SupportNIH #ResearchForAll

Disease strikes all, regardless of wealth, appearance or political beliefs. This has led to bipartisan support for the NIH+ other agencies (e.g. CDC/EPA) whose work has led to preventing+ treating previously fatal diseases. The current argument for cutting funding is that it will save money...

...universities got $1.85 billion in NIH funding, creating ~26,000 jobs and supporting $5.8 billion in economic activity, while PA universities received $2.2 billion in NIH funding, creating ~22,000 jobs and supporting $5.2 billion dollars. Indeed, $1 spent for NIH funding generates $2.50.

...and goes undetected because that group is not being surveilled, all are affected before public health measures can take effect, posing suffering+ great costs. All the above do not account for the impact of funding from agencies such as the NIH on the economy of all states. In 2023, Texas..

...impedes identification of preventable risk factors+ development of treatments that benefit all+ generate major savings for healthcare systems+ the nation. This is true for acute (e.g. epidemics)+ chronic (e.g. dementia, cancer) diseases. If a new viral infection starts in a vulnerable group...

Health disparities pose massive costs. Eliminating health disparities for minorities would have reduced direct medical costs and indirect costs (due to illness+ premature death) in the US by >$1.2 trillion dollars during 2003–2006. Exclusion of some groups from research studies+ clinical trials...

...Native Americans. As other examples, asthma, COPD, CF and lung cancer are more common/more likely to lead to death/disability in some groups due to environment (e.g. pollution), >susceptibility (e.g. smoking in women) and lack of group-effective medications (e.g. for CF) or healthcare access.

Does cutting funding for health disparities research save money? Health disparities affect people facing barriers to health due to their race/ethnicity; SES; gender; or other traits linked to discrimination. COVID-19 caused more deaths in the poor+ Blacks+ Latinos... @atscommunity.bsky.social

@ats-assemblies.bsky.social @ats-eoph.bsky.social

On July 4th, I reflected on my journey+ what makes this country great: generosity, a constant desire to innovate, and providing opportunities for all. This is truly worth advocating+ fighting for. For our sake and our children, we must. @brownpvd.bsky.social #BrighamWomen's #ResearchHealthCareXAll

...we love this great nation. Every country has the right to protect its borders+ deport those disrespectful of the law. Yet what is happening now-separating families and mistreating people who've long lived here- evokes images of the worst moments of the history of this nation+ humankind. #Medicine

...was lucky to serve at the Erie VA Med Ctr, where there had been no pulmonologist for 10 yrs. Not unlike migrant farm+ construction workers, cooks and other migrants doing challenging jobs, IMGs (mostly immigrant physicians) often care for patients in locations deemed "undesirable". Like them...

Of 60 residents in Internal Medicine, 59 of us were International Medical Graduates (IMGs), all immigrants. I remain affected by the suffering I witnessed there, which I've tried to address -however minimally- through my work. After residency/fellowship, I again sent >400 application letters and..

...where there would be better opportunities for research career than in my homeland (Colombia). After >400 application letters, I did my internship at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, where I cared for human beings (not "inner-city rats") at the bottom of the economic ladder during the AIDS epidemic.

...searching for a better future. Most lack resources to pay the legal fees required to pursue permanent residency, yet nearly all have that most intangible quality: hunger to improve their lot and contribute to society. As a young man, I dreamed of a career as a physician scientist in the U.S...

Yet facts do not support this. As in prior data, most recently arrested immigrants have no criminal records+ paid taxes. In 2023, undocumented immigrants paid ~$90 billion in total taxes. Like millions in the past, most came to the US fleeing poverty or prosecution, or... #NationOfImmigrants

...while cutting funds for education, science, and healthcare for those most vulnerable: children, the elderly and veterans)+ people with disabilities.
The narrative justifying all this is dehumanizing: rapists, criminals, "inner-city rats"+ "lazy people" are not worth helping. @hsph.harvard.edu

On immigrants: "Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed". H. Melville. New legislation will allow mass "hunts" for undocumented migrants...@atscommunity.bsky.social

These findings expand on our prior results for T2-high asthma using blood markers, while those for T17-high asthma further suggest that ETV may affect asthma through neutrophilia and reduced corticosteroid response. @upmc.com @atscommunity.bsky.social @ats-assemblies.bsky.social #StopGunViolence

Is violence exposure (ETV) associated with specific asthma endotypes? In an @annalsats.bsky.social paper, K Gaietto et al used nasal epithelial transcriptomics (2025 @jama.com) to show that ETV/gun violence are linked to T2- and T17-high asthma in Puerto Ricans. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202502-151OC

T2-low asthma (T2LA) is often thought rare in kids. In 4,284 U.S. youths, Dr. Han shows that, cons. with prior findings (JAMA 2025), T2LA prev. (by eos+ FeNO) is 46-60%. Older age, female sex, overweight+ SHS were linked to T2LA. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.04.040 @upmc.com @atscommunity.bsky.social

Today is #WorldNoTobaccoDay! The American Thoracic Society and its FIRS partners, support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) efforts to expose and condemn the tobacco industry’s harmful tactics—many of which are aimed at young people.

Learn more: site.thoracic.org/stop-tobacco...

This #MemorialDay, we honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country.

As we remember their sacrifice, we also recognize the impact of military service on respiratory health—and recommit to advancing care and research for all who serve.

Thank you, Ivana!

...generation. If you do all this, you can be at peace knowing that, when the candle of your life is extinguished, others will ensure that the ideals you hold dear will shine, ever brighter, in an eternal flame." @ats-assemblies.bsky.social @ats-assemblies.bsky.social @atsearlycareer.bsky.social

..and will be key in responding to current problems. My final advice to young physicians/scientists: "Find causes greater than yourself and pursue them with unparalleled passion. Surround yourself with people who love you and love them back. Be a lifelong learner and teach and support the next...

.. @brownpvd.bsky.social+ Erie Veterans Administration Med. Ctr.+ @brighamandwomens.bsky.social+ @hsph.harvard.edu+ @news.upmc.com+ UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh+ @upittpress.bsky.social. I then reflected how #Unity was key to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic during my ATS Presidency...

..my parents (Enrique Celedon+ Norha Llinas), my wife (Lily)+ daughters (Laura+ Carolina)+ mentors/mentees/collaborators+ NHLBI (x continued funding)+ all institutions I was educated/have worked at: Liceo de Cervantes+ Pontificia Universidad Javeriana+ Lincoln Hospital+ Beth Israel Med. Ctr. NY...