Breathing in America: Diseases, Progress, and Hope explores the nature and causes of pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders, their prevalence and burden, the benefits research has brought and the research challenges that remain. Written for educated laypersons, the book presents basic facts about 23 different respiratory conditions, features a case study for each condition, and highlights the most promising areas of research. Public health experts, patients and patient advocates, government and community leaders, health reporters and medical, nursing and allied health students will get an overview of the most common respiratory disorders, must of which are under-recognized as health problems.