Black Lung/Coal Miner Clinics Program - Organization Name and Address: The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania 800 Chestnut Ave., Altoona PA, 16601 Website: https://www.lungdiseasefoundation.org/ The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization founded in 2013, is requesting $424,883 in the first year of funding and $2,124,415 over the five-year grant period (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2030) through the Black Lung Clinics Program (BLCP). The Foundation serves as the lead entity for the Pennsylvania Black Lung COALition, assuming the responsibilities previously held by UPMC Altoona, to provide comprehensive healthcare and support services for individuals suffering from occupational lung diseases. Our mission is to improve lung health outcomes through patient-centered medical services, outreach, education, and advocacy. The Pennsylvania Black Lung COALition’s service region encompasses Service Area G, which includes 51 counties across Pennsylvania, covering rural, urban, and former coal-mining communities. The population served includes active, displaced, and retired coal miners, as well as individuals suffering from occupational respiratory diseases. The service area has an estimated 8,435 active and retired coal miners, many of whom experience geographic, financial, and systemic barriers to accessing healthcare. The COALition works to reduce these disparities by providing comprehensive screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation counseling services. Our proposed project aims to minimize the impact of pulmonary diseases caused by occupational exposure, particularly in coal miners, through an integrated approach that includes medical management, education, outreach, and benefits counseling. The COALition will utilize funding to expand diagnostic and treatment services, increase education and outreach efforts, strengthen referral pathways, and enhance program coordination across a large geographic region. The program will also work to reduce institutional denial of black lung disease, improve early detection rates, and provide essential compensation support to affected miners and their families. Expected Outcomes: 1. Increased early detection and diagnosis of black lung disease through expanded screenings. 2. Improved patient access to specialized care via telemedicine and in-person services. 3. Higher participation in compensation counseling and successful claims for DOL benefits. 4. Enhanced awareness and prevention through targeted outreach and education efforts. 5. Strengthened regional healthcare networks through strategic partnerships and referral coordination. The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania has the infrastructure, expertise, and experience necessary to ensure effective program implementation and sustainability. With established medical facilities, pulmonary specialists, diagnostic tools, and an extensive outreach network, the COALition is well-positioned to expand access to care for miners affected by black lung disease and other occupational respiratory conditions across Service Area G. This program will play a critical role in reducing the burden of lung disease in Pennsylvania’s mining communities, ensuring long-term improvements in health outcomes and quality of life for our target population.
