IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 42 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 25, 2007 

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, 

treatment, and eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary 

fibrosis, supporting the designation of a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, and for 

other purposes. 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder that causes progressive, incurable lung scarring; 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 1 of about 200 disorders that are called ‘‘interstitial lung diseases’’; 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common 

form of interstitial lung disease; 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and 

generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of 

the lungs that causes an irreversible loss of the ability of 

the lung tissue to transport oxygen; 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, 

often causing disability or death within a few years; 


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SCON 42 RFH 

Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; 

Whereas more than 128,000 people in the United States have 

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 48,000 new 

cases are diagnosed each year; 

Whereas there has been a 156-percent increase in mortality 

from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis since 2001; 

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed 

or under-diagnosed; 

Whereas the median survival rate for patients with idiopathic 

pulmonary fibrosis is 2 to 3 years, about 2⁄3 of patients 

with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis die within 5 years, and 

approximately 40,000 patients with idiopathic pulmonary 

fibrosis die each year; and 

Whereas there is a pressing need to increase awareness and 

detection of this misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed disorder, and of all interstitial lung diseases: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into 

4 the causes, treatment, and eventual cure for idio5 pathic pulmonary fibrosis; 

6 (2) supports the work of advocates and organi7 zations in educating, supporting, and providing hope 

8 for individuals who suffer from idiopathic pulmonary 

9 fibrosis, including efforts to organize a National Idi10 opathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week; 


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SCON 42 RFH 

1 (3) congratulates advocates and organizations 

2 for their efforts to educate the public about idio3 pathic pulmonary fibrosis while funding research to 

4 help find a cure for this disorder; 

5 (4) supports the designation of an appropriate 

6 week as National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis 

7 Awareness Week; 

8 (5) welcomes the issuance of a proclamation 

9 designating an appropriate week as National Idio10 pathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week; and 

11 (6) supports the goals and ideals of a National 

12 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week. 

Passed the Senate July 24, 2007. 

Attest: NANCY ERICKSON, 

Secretary. 


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