Expresses support for designating May 2025 as "National Myositis Awareness Month" to raise public awareness and support research for this group of rare, autoimmune muscle-wasting diseases.
Rich McCormick
Representative
GA-7
This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as "National Myositis Awareness Month" to raise public awareness and knowledge about myositis, a group of rare, chronic, autoimmune muscle-wasting diseases. It calls for increased research into the causes and treatments for myositis, acknowledging the difficulties in diagnosis, reduced quality of life for patients, and health disparities, particularly among women and people of color. The bill encourages all individuals in the U.S. to learn more about myositis and support affected individuals and families.
Resolution Backs May 2025 as National Myositis Awareness Month, Highlighting Rare Disease Challenges
This resolution officially supports designating May 2025 as 'National Myositis Awareness Month.' It's a move aimed at shining a light on a group of rare, chronic autoimmune diseases known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, or myositis. Think debilitating muscle inflammation, pain, fatigue, and sometimes serious trouble swallowing or breathing – conditions affecting nearly 1 in 10 Americans dealing with rare diseases overall.
More Than Just Muscle Aches
So, why dedicate a month to it? The resolution points out that getting a myositis diagnosis is often a tough journey. Because it's rare and complex – encompassing conditions like dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis, and others – patients frequently face delays in getting the right treatment and finding doctors who specialize in their specific condition. This isn't just inconvenient; it impacts quality of life significantly, especially since there's currently no cure, and life expectancy can be shortened. The resolution specifically notes that women and people of color often face even greater health disparities with these diseases.
Turning Awareness into Action?
By backing an official awareness month, the House aims to boost public knowledge about what myositis is and how it affects people, including veterans. The hope is that increased awareness encourages more research into causes and treatments, helps people recognize potential symptoms sooner, and builds stronger support networks for patients and their families. While a resolution is largely symbolic, it serves as an official nod to the challenges faced by the myositis community and encourages broader public engagement and support during May.