RESPIRATORY THERAPY IN GHANA PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE ABSTRACT: Respiratory therapy is an emerging field in Ghana, essential for managing prevalent respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and infections exacerbated by air pollution. This paper reviews the inception, current state, and prospects of respiratory therapy in Ghana. Respiratory therapy education began in 2015 with the launch of a Bachelor of Science program at the University of Ghana, marking a milestone in sub-Saharan Africa. Since then, a collaborative effort involving the Ghana Association for Respiratory Care (GARC), local institutions, and international partners, has led to significant advancements in professional standards and clinical training. Respiratory therapists now contribute vital skills in critical care, mechanical ventilation, pulmonary function testing, and emergency response across public and private healthcare facilities. Despite this progress, challenges remain, including a shortage of trained professionals, limited resources, and the need for enhanced regulatory frameworks. Continued government support, policy reforms, and international collaborations are essential to advancing respiratory care services in Ghana, ultimately contributing to improved respiratory health and quality of life for all Ghanaians. This study underscores the importance of respiratory therapy in addressing public health challenges and highlights the way forward for the profession’s development. Graduate Student: DOROTHY HONNY ID: 002809239 dhonny1@student.gsu.edu Supervisor: Dr. Douglas Gardenhire dgardenhire@gsu.edu

Heart patients; cardiac diet, Diabetics; diabetic diet, Chronic kidney patients; renal diet. Everyone has a diet plan after being admitted into the hospital; everyone except chronic pulmonary patients. Chronic pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and interstitial lung diseases, affect millions worldwide, leading to progressive respiratory decline, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. While pharmacologic treatments and pulmonary rehabilitation have been cornerstones of management, nutritional interventions tailored to respiratory health are increasingly recognized for their role in optimizing outcomes. The "Pulmonary Diet" is a structured dietary approach designed to meet individuals' nutritional needs with chronic pulmonary diseases. This diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and healthy fats while limiting foods that can exacerbate inflammation and mucus production. In this oral presentation, we will discuss the theoretical foundations of the Pulmonary Diet, including its focus on high-quality protein for muscle maintenance, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation. We will explore the potential benefits of managing weight, reducing oxidative stress, and improving pulmonary function. Initial studies suggest the diet may help alleviate symptoms, improve exercise tolerance, and enhance patients’ overall quality of life. Case studies will be presented to illustrate the practical applications of the Pulmonary Diet in clinical settings, with outcomes showcasing improvements in respiratory function and reduced symptom burden. The Pulmonary Diet represents a promising, patient-centered addition to traditional care approaches. It empowers patients to actively participate in managing their health through evidence-based nutritional strategies. This presentation will conclude with guidelines for implementing the Pulmonary Diet in a multidisciplinary care model and discuss future research directions.

Tobacco use is strongly associated with an increased risk of lung disease, respiratory issues, and stroke. To reduce the risk of tobacco consumption, in the United States, many individual states established a minimum legal sale age (MLSA) law for Tobacco products between 2016 and 2019, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 21 before a federal Tobacco 21 MLSA came into place in December 2019. I leverage the heterogeneous timing across states in the adoption of the policy from a sample of 8,175 individuals between the ages of 18 and 21. Using the 2011 to 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), I estimate the impact of the Tobacco 21 MLSA policy on the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition marked by airflow obstruction due to prolonged exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke and air pollution. I find that the T21 MLSA policy lowered the prevalence of respiratory health issues by 6.7 percentage points, or approximately 4%, among young adults between the ages of 18 and 21. Additionally, the policy had a greater effect in reducing respiratory issues among males than females. While there was no significant effect on respiratory health problems among white individuals, the policy effectively decreased respiratory health issues among Black and Hispanic populations. The T21 MLSA policy also had a greater impact on unemployed young adults than on those employed and was particularly effective among 20-year-olds compared to other ages within the sample. Furthermore, the policy also showed a stronger effect on respiratory health outcomes among young adults with some college education compared to those with a high school diploma or less. These findings suggest that the T21 MLSA policy effectively reduces respiratory health problems, which supports its public health benefit. Therefore, states that are yet to adopt the T21 MLSA policy should consider its potential to decrease the prevalence of respiratory health problems and, ultimately, tobacco-related mortality as a valuable component of their health policy.