The Alliance for Lupus
Research (ALR) commends the Senate on its passage of a resolution
supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week that begins
annually on Mother's Day. The resolution, introduced by Senators Russ
Feingold (D-WI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) calls on all Americans to take the
week of May 11th - May 17th as an opportunity to educate themselves on
women's health issues, and recognizes the importance of Federally funded
programs that provide research on common diseases in women, like lupus.
ALR's main legislative priority is increased support for lupus research by
Federal agencies such as the National Institute for Health, Health and
Human Services, and Department of Defense Health Programs. The House
version of the resolution introduced by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (NY-D) is
expected to pass this week.
"Too many women - our nation's mothers, daughters, sisters, and
grandmothers - are affected by lupus, a devastating autoimmune disease. We
are pleased that Congress is honoring National Women's Health Week along
with the ALR, by officially recognizing the importance of education and
continued Federal research funding for lupus and other women's health
issues," says ALR President Barbara Boyts.
Lupus causes unpredictable symptoms ranging from fatigue and joint pain
to severe organ damage, and complications from the disease often prove
fatal. The resolution properly recognizes that significant disparities
exist in the prevalence of disease among women of different backgrounds.
Not only are women in their childbearing years nine times more likely than
men to develop lupus, but women of African-American descent are three times
more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Women of Asian, Latin
American/Hispanic, Pacific Rim descent are also more likely to be affected.
An estimated 1.4 million Americans have lupus.
"This disease disproportionately strikes a typically medically
underserved portion of America's population. It is vital that American
women are aware of diseases more common in women, take care of their
health, and talk to their doctors about symptoms that might be part of a
more serious condition," says ALR's Scientific Advisory Board Chair, Dr.
Mary K. Crow. "Lupus can cause heart and kidney disease - two leading
causes of death for women - so we are grateful to our Members of Congress
for shining a light on this important issue."
The Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) is a national voluntary health
organization based in New York City and founded in 1999. Chaired by Robert
Wood Johnson IV, it has become the world's largest private source of lupus
research funds and has committed $50 million to lupus-specific research
projects since its inception. The organization's mission is to find better
treatments and ultimately prevent and cure lupus by supporting medical
research. Because the ALR's Board of Directors pays for all administrative
and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations go directly to support lupus
research programs. For more information, visit lupusresearch.
Alliance for Lupus Research
lupusresearch