IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 135 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as ‘‘Spondyloarthritis 
Awareness Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 18, 2021 
Ms. MATSUI submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as 
‘‘Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month’’. 
Whereas spondyloarthritis is the name given to a family of 
closely related, chronic rheumatic diseases that pose a 
major health concern in the United States, impacting 1 
in 100 Americans; 
Whereas spondyloarthritis affects 3.2 million adults in the 
United States, more than rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple scle-
rosis (MS) combined; 
Whereas spondyloarthritis can occur early in a person’s life 
and is a condition for which there is no known cure; 
Whereas early diagnosis is critical in effectively treating the 
disease, preventing certain complications, and improving 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:38 Feb 19, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR135.IH
HR135
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•HRES 135 IH 
quality of life and function for those impacted with 
spondyloarthritis; 
Whereas many women, especially Black women, impacted by 
the disease remain undiagnosed due to inadequate aware-
ness, with the average diagnostic delay being seven to ten 
years; 
Whereas there are fewer than 400 pediatric rheumatologists 
in the United States and almost one-fourth of the 
300,000 children with arthritis must travel 80 or more 
miles to see a rheumatologist; 
Whereas spondyloarthritis includes ankylosing spondylitis, 
psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, enteropathic arthri-
tis, 
juvenile 
spondyloarthritis, 
undifferentiated 
spondyloarthritis, 
peripheral 
spondyloarthritis, 
axial 
spondyloarthritis, 
and 
nonradiographic 
axial 
spondyloarthritis; 
Whereas symptoms of spondyloarthritis typically begin before 
the age of 45, with early signs including frequent pain 
and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks, pain in a 
peripheral joint such as the hip, ankle, elbow, heel, or 
shoulder; 
Whereas a portion of people with spondyloarthritis will 
progress to spinal fusion and become prone to fractures, 
thoracic kyphosis, or eroded peripheral joints especially 
the hips and shoulders; 
Whereas complications from spondyloarthritis may cause seri-
ous inflammation in other organs including the heart, 
lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, nerves, and eyes; 
Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on 
spondyloarthritis and its symptoms, targeting both med-
ical professionals and the general public, can increase the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:38 Feb 19, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR135.IH
HR135
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•HRES 135 IH 
likelihood of earlier diagnosis to improve health outcomes 
for patients and support an informed society; and 
Whereas people living with this potentially debilitating disease 
should be provided with the resources, education, and 
support needed for a timely diagnosis, and improved 
treatment outcomes, so that they can live their lives to 
the fullest: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) 
supports 
the 
designation 
of 
‘‘Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month’’; 
(2) recognizes that adequate awareness leads to 
earlier diagnosis, which can reduce the severity of 
the disease, especially in the African-American com-
munity; and 
(3) supports national efforts to educate medical 
professionals 
and 
communities 
about 
spondyloarthritis and the need for more research 
funding, early detection initiatives, and effective 
treatments. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:38 Feb 19, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR135.IH
HR135
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS