The Temple Lung Center continues to play a defining role in advancing the global standard of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As a contributor to the international dialogue on evidence-based best practices, the Temple Lung Center not only helped support the development of the 2026 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Report, but also played a role in shaping discussions at the 2025 GOLD Conference—where global experts convened to preview evolving evidence and clinical trends, as well as review updates to the standard of care for COPD patients.
Dr. Gerard Criner, Director of the Temple Lung Center, serves on the Board of Directors of GOLD, a leadership role that underscores Temple’s long-standing commitment to advancing evidence-based COPD care globally. Through this partnership, the Temple Lung Center co-hosts the annual GOLD International COPD Conference with GOLD, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and educators from around the world to share the latest scientific insights, educational content, and guideline updates in COPD management - and help inform and shape the GOLD 2026 Report, ensuring that the guidelines reflect the latest evidence and best practices in early detection, treatment selection, and precision approaches to COPD care.
The 2026 update draws on 330 newly published peer-reviewed studies, identified through systematic literature review and evaluated through the GOLD Committee’s established review process. This expanded evidence base highlights the rapid pace of new findings in early detection, treatment selection, and the application of emerging technologies in COPD care.
Major Updates in the 2026 GOLD Report
This year’s GOLD revision includes updates that may influence clinical decision-making across the spectrum of COPD evaluation and treatment. Key changes include:
- Updated insights on the global burden of COPD, with new guidance on screening and case-finding to support earlier identification and intervention.
- Revised vaccination recommendations, reflecting new data on respiratory infection prevention and vaccine performance in COPD populations.
- Newly defined criteria for GOLD A, B, and E categories, strengthening clinical decision-making and treatment selection.
- A first-ever section on disease activity, to support ongoing assessment and individualized therapy
- Clarified management cycles and updated treatment algorithms to ensure more consistent, patient-centered care across clinical settings.
- Revised sections on COPD exacerbations and multimorbidity, incorporating the latest evidence on risk reduction and comprehensive care strategies.
- A groundbreaking new chapter on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, highlighting innovative tools poised to optimize detection and management of COPD.
Applying the 2026 GOLD Guidance in Clinical Practice
With a high volume of complex COPD cases and one of the most robust COPD research centers in the nation, the Temple Lung Center aims to help clinicians understand and apply the updated GOLD recommendations in practice. Ongoing work at Temple includes evaluation of AI-enabled tools, systemwide approaches to early disease identification, and studies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with advanced or multifactorial lung disease.
The 2026 GOLD update represents a meaningful step forward in aligning clinical care with the latest evidence. Temple’s continued focus on research, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration supports clinicians nationwide in integrating these recommendations into patient care.
Learn more about the GOLD International COPD Conference and pre-register for the 2026 conference.