[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 225 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 225

 Supporting the designation of March as ``Autoimmune Awareness Month'' 
and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and 
           increase funding for autoimmune disease research.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 14, 2025

 Ms. Stevens submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the designation of March as ``Autoimmune Awareness Month'' 
and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and 
           increase funding for autoimmune disease research.

Whereas researchers have identified that the category of autoimmune diseases 
        includes more than 100 diseases that are chronic and in many cases 
        debilitating, with no known cures;
Whereas autoimmune diseases can affect any part of the body, including the 
        blood, blood vessels, muscles, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, 
        endocrine glands, and multiple organ systems, and can be life-
        threatening;
Whereas researchers have identified a close genetic relationship and a common 
        pathway of disease that exists among autoimmune diseases, explaining the 
        clustering of autoimmune diseases in individuals and families;
Whereas the family of autoimmune diseases is underrecognized, and poses a major 
        health care challenge to the United States;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health estimates that autoimmune diseases 
        afflict up to 50,000,000 people in the United States, 80 percent of the 
        people affected are women, and the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is 
        rising;
Whereas autoimmune diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of death in 
        women under 65;
Whereas autoimmune diseases frequently affect children and young adults, leading 
        to a lifetime of disability;
Whereas diagnostic tests for most autoimmune diseases are not standardized, 
        making autoimmune diseases very difficult to diagnose;
Whereas, because autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose, treatment is 
        often delayed, sometimes resulting in irreparable damage and unnecessary 
        suffering, making early diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases 
        critical;
Whereas the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies reported that the 
        United States is behind other countries in research into immune system 
        self-recognition, the cause of autoimmune diseases;
Whereas a study by the Autoimmune Association revealed that it takes the average 
        patient with an autoimmune disease more than 4.5 years to get a correct 
        diagnosis;
Whereas there is a significant need for more collaboration and cross-
        fertilization of basic autoimmune research;
Whereas there is a significant need for research focusing on the etiology of all 
        autoimmune-related diseases, to increase understanding of the root 
        causes of these diseases rather than treating the symptoms after the 
        disease has had its destructive effect; and
Whereas designating March as ``Autoimmune Awareness Month'' would help educate 
        the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for research funding, 
        accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Autoimmune Awareness 
        Month'';
            (2) supports the efforts of health care providers and 
        autoimmune patient advocacy and education organizations to 
        increase awareness of the causes of, and treatments for, 
        autoimmune diseases; and
            (3) supports the goal of increasing funding for aggressive 
        research to learn the root causes of autoimmune diseases, as 
        well as the best diagnostic methods and treatments for people 
        with autoimmune diseases.
                                 <all>