(1) The term ‘‘autoimmune disease’’ refers to a 
varied group of more than 80 serious, chronic ill-
nesses that involve the human organ system, the 
nervous, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems, the 
skin and other connective tissues, eyes, and blood 
and blood vessels. 
(2) These diseases include, but are not limited 
to, Epstein-Barr virus, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, 
scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syn-
drome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, and 
vasculitis syndromes. 
(3) 50 million Americans are afflicted with 
some form of autoimmune disease. 
(4) 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in 
women, most frequently during but not limited to 
the childbearing years. 
(5) Taken together, autoimmune diseases rep-
resent the fourth largest cause of disability among 
women in the United States. 
(6) Female-to-male ratios in autoimmune dis-
eases are dramatically skewed toward women, in 
some cases by ratios as high as 50 to 1. 
(7) Autoimmune diseases remain among the 
most poorly understood and poorly recognized of any 
category of illnesses; while science suggest they may
have a genetic component, they can cluster in fami-
lies as different illnesses. 
(8) To help women live longer, healthier lives, 
more research is needed to shed light on genetic as 
well as hormonal and environmental risk factors that 
contribute to the causes of these diseases, as well as 
providing early diagnosis and treatment. 
SEC. 3. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES 
REGARDING 
AUTOIMMUNE 
DISEASES 
ON 
WOMEN. 
Section 409E of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 284i) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing subsection: 
‘‘(d) CERTAIN ACTIVITIES REGARDING WOMEN.—
With respect to the plan under paragraph (1) of sub-
section (c), the Coordinating Committee shall ensure that 
provisions of the plan developed under paragraph (2) of 
such subsection include provisions for the following: 
‘‘(1)(A) Basic research, epidemiological re-
search, and other appropriate research concerning 
the etiology and causes of autoimmune diseases in
all women, including genetic, hormonal, and environ-
mental factors. 
‘‘(B)(i) Giving priority under subparagraph (A) 
to research regarding environmental factors. 
‘‘(ii) The coordination of (to the extent prac-
ticable and appropriate), and providing additional 
support for, research described in clause (i) that is 
conducted by public or nonprofit private entities. 
‘‘(2)(A) The development of information and 
education programs for patients, health care pro-
viders, and others as appropriate on genetic, hor-
monal, and environmental risk factors associated 
with autoimmune diseases in women, and on the im-
portance of the prevention or control of such risk 
factors and timely referral with appropriate diag-
nosis and treatment. 
‘‘(B) The inclusion in programs under subpara-
graph (A) of information and education on the prev-
alence and nature of autoimmune diseases, on risk 
factors in women, and on health-related behaviors 
that can improve health status. 
‘‘(3) Outreach programs for purposes of para-
graphs (1) and (2) that—
‘‘(A) are directed toward historically un-
derserved populations of women, such as lower-
income and minority women, and toward 
women who are at-risk for autoimmune dis-
eases; and 
‘‘(B) are carried out through community 
health centers or other health centers under 
section 330, through State or local health de-
partments, or through primary care physi-
cians.’’.
Æ