INER's youth science fair and Chile's pulmonary rehab program boost respiratory health in Latin America

The Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) in Mexico held its first Respiratory Science Fair on July 29‑30, 2026. The two‑day event targeted pediatric patients and the children of institute staff, offering safe experiments, interactive games and educational activities designed to explain how respiratory science informs disease prevention and treatment. Organizer Angélica Flores Flores said the fair aims to inspire young people to pursue science, likening the institute’s role to that of social‑media influencers in sparking curiosity.

In Chile, a doctoral research project from Universidad Andrés Bello introduced a pulmonary rehabilitation program at the CESFAM Santa Laura health centre in the El Bosque district. Led by doctoral candidate Sebastián Gutiérrez under the supervision of Dr. Luis Peñailillo and funded by a Fondecyt grant, the program uses concentric and eccentric bicycle training for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early results show improved quality of life, reduced emergency‑room visits, a 14% drop in waiting lists and the delivery of 240 health services, helping participants regain independence and social participation.