Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as "Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month. Spondyloarthritis is an umbrella term for a group of inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the spine and other joints.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 135 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 sclerosis (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 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 awareness, 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 arthritis, 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 serious 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 medical professionals and the general public, 
        can increase the 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 community; 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.
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