Free lung check for the public: The «LuftiBus» is coming to Lucerne
11.07.2025 08:00 CEST
Lucerne, July 11, 2025 — The «LuftiBus» from Lunge Zürich will make a stop in Lucerne on Friday, July 11, 2025. The eye-catching bus will be welcoming visitors at Weinmarkt between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Anyone interested can have their lung function tested on site free of charge — it’s quick, easy, and no prior appointment is needed. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of lung health and to contribute to the early detection of common respiratory diseases. The main sponsor MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG is supporting the «LuftiBus» visit to Lucerne.
Lung diseases are among the most common chronic conditions in Switzerland. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma — both progressive conditions that often go undiagnosed until later stages — are particularly widespread.1 Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a somewhat lesser-known but particularly serious lung disease.1
With the «LuftiBus» Lunge Zürich aims to raise awareness of these lung diseases. On July 11, 2025, the eye-catching Lunge Zürich bus will stop in Lucerne, offering free lung function tests at Weinmarkt. The aim is to inform the public in Lucerne and the surrounding area about lung health and to contribute to the early detection of common respiratory diseases.
The «Luftibus»
For over 30 years, we have been making an important contribution to the prevention and early detection of lung diseases with the «LuftiBus». To date, we have tested the lung function of more than 190,000 people. As an individual, you can have your lungs tested quickly and easily in the «LuftiBus».
Lung diseases in Switzerland
According to the Swiss Lung Association, several hundred thousand people in Switzerland suffer from asthma and COPD.2 Furthermore, the Swiss Cancer Association reports that around 4,900 people develop lung cancer and approximately 3,300 die from it each year in Switzerland.3
These conditions significantly impact the quality of life, but can often be treated effectively, provided they are detected early.
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a less well-known, but particularly serious condition. PH is an umbrella term for various lung diseases, all characterized by elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation.4 The elevated blood pressure puts considerable strain on both the heart and lungs, leading to symptoms such as breathing difficulties, weakness, and tiredness — even with low physical exertion.4 If left untreated, the prognosis of those affected deteriorates rapidly. Here, too, early diagnosis is crucial.
«LuftiBus» services for visitors
The «LuftiBus», an initiative of Lunge Zürich, is supported by the pharmaceutical company MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, headquartered in Lucerne, as one of two main sponsors, along with other sponsors. The aim of this initiative is to raise public awareness of respiratory diseases. Visitors to the bus have the opportunity to have their lung function tested free of charge. A simple lung function test, called spirometry, is performed—an easy measurement that takes only a few minutes. This test checks how well the lungs are working and is an important tool for the early detection of many lung diseases. In addition, a sit-to-stand test is offered. This one-minute test assesses the ability to stand up from a seated position and helps evaluate physical endurance. Increased shortness of breath during exertion may be due to your fitness level or an underlying cardiopulmonary disease.
After the tests, the trained «LuftiBus» team from Lunge Zürich explains the results. No diagnoses are made. However, if any abnormal results are found, an in-depth evaluation by a pulmonary specialist is recommended. In addition, a representative of the Swiss PH Association for People with Pulmonary Hypertension will be on site to answer questions about this disease. The «LuftiBus» service is open to anyone who wants to learn more about their lung health, whether for preventive reasons or due to existing symptoms. No registration is required for the lung function test.
What is a lung function test?5
A lung function test, also known as spirometry, provides information about the lung capacity and any potential restriction of the airways. A lung function test measures breathing , and the results help to detect lung diseases such as COPD or asthma at an early stage. The test is simple, painless, and can be completed within a few minutes. The measurement takes about ten minutes and is carried out in accordance with international standards. To ensure data security, the tests are recorded anonymously. Each test participant receives a printout with their personal test results. These are compared with reference ranges adjusted for gender, age, height, and ethnicity and explained by the «LuftiBus» team. The team does not make diagnoses. In the event of abnormal results, an in-depth medical evaluation is needed.
Online lung testing available6
Don’t have enough time for a lung check on the «LuftiBus»? Then take the free lung test, provided online by Lunge Zürich. This survey asks questions about your habits, your breathing, and your physical performance. The completed lung tests and the answers are evaluated anonymously to document the success of the campaign. Available at: https://lunge-zuerich.ch/
Links for further information
- Swiss PH Association (SPHV) for People with Pulmonary Hypertension
- Swiss Society of Pulmonary Hypertension
- www.msd-gesundheit.ch
Abbreviations
COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PH = pulmonary hypertension.
References
- Lunge Zürich (Zürich Lung Association). Listen to Your Lungs. Available at: https://lunge-zuerich.ch/praevention/kampagnen/hoeren-sie-auf-ihre-lunge/. Last viewed: June 24, 2025.
- Lungenliga Schweiz (Swiss Lung Association). Available at: www.lungenliga.ch last viewed: June 24, 2025.
- Krebsliga Schweiz (Swiss Cancer Association). Available at: https://www.krebsliga.ch/ueber-krebs/frueherkennung/lungenkrebs last viewed: June 26, 2025.
- MSD Gesundheit (MSD Health). What is Pulmonary Hypertension? Available at: https://www.msd-gesundheit.ch/de/pulmonale-hypertonie/was-ist-pulmonale-hypertonie Last viewed: June 24, 2025.
- Lunge Zürich. Rent the LuftiBus. Available at: https://lunge-zuerich.ch/praevention/luftibus/luftibus-mieten/. Last viewed: June 24, 2025.
- Lunge Zürich. Lung Test. https://lunge-zuerich.ch/praevention/risikotests/lungentest/ last viewed: June 26, 2025
MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland
In Switzerland, MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme employs over 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At the site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, MSD operates a global innovation and development hub. The main therapeutic areas of MSD are oncology, infectious diseases, and cardiometabolic diseases. We also have a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture medicines for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. In addition, MSD conducts almost 50 clinical trials annually in Switzerland alone. We take our responsibility to the local community seriously and have been involved for years in, among other things, the «Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern» and the «Alliance Health competence». In 2025, MSD received the «Top Employer Switzerland» award for the thirteenth time in a row.
For more information, please visit www.msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch, www.msd-gesundheit.ch and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook und YouTube.
MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, Werftestrasse 4, 6005 Lucerne. Switzerland.
Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
CH-NON-03055, 07/2025