Once again a resolution is before the House to make May officially National Celiac Awareness Month. Maybe with health care reform behind them, Congress can focus on this and other resolutions. A resolution has been put before congress for 3 years without Congress acting on it.

This year at the Digestive Disease Coalition’s Public Policy Forum, including its members Celiac Sprue Association and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, advocated for this resolution. That now means ALL USA celiac organizations are on the same page with this issue.

Please show your support of H. Con Res. 110 by replying via email to Andrea Levario, Exec Director of the American Celiac Disease Alliance (aslevario@americanceliac.org). You can forward this email with your complete company name and contact information in it or send a new email and in the subject line type ”In support of Celiac Awareness Month”€�. Don’t forget to include your company name and contact information.

If you are an individual, write a letter or email to your Congressional Representative. Ask them to support passage of this resolution.  A copy of the resolution text is below for your information.

111 th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 110

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 27, 2009
Mrs. LOWEY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects 1 of every 133 people in the United States;

Whereas research indicates that there are approximately 3 million people with celiac disease in the United States, yet only approximately 120,000 of those have been diagnosed;

Whereas approximately 1 in 22 first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with celiac disease will also be diagnosed with celiac disease;

Whereas the average time frame for diagnosing celiac disease in the United States is 11 years from the original onset of symptoms;

Whereas celiac disease affects equal percentages of men and women;

Whereas celiac disease may have severe and varied detrimental effects on the body, and the health care costs associated with celiac disease are unknown;

Whereas people with celiac disease tend to have other autoimmune diseases as well;

Whereas it is estimated at approximately 10 percent of individuals with Type I Diabetes and an estimated 16 percent of individuals with Down Syndrome have celiac disease;

Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet;

Whereas it is particularly important for students with celiac disease to have access to their medically prescribed diet while at school and in school-based activities;

Whereas the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease held in June 2004 found that consultation with a skilled dietitian and identification and treatment of nutritional deficiencies were key elements in the management of celiac disease;

Whereas the consensus panel on celiac disease recommended the standardization of serologic tests and pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of celiac disease, the adoption of a standard definition of a gluten-free diet based on objective evidence such as that being developed by the American Dietetic Association, and the development of an adequate testing procedure to determine the amount of gluten in foods and of a definition of standards for gluten-free foods in the United States to lay the foundation for rational food labeling;

Whereas increased recognition and awareness of celiac disease will have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of people with celiac disease; and

Whereas numerous organizations recognize May as National Celiac Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

1. supports the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month;
2. should work with health care providers and celiac disease advocacy and education organizations to encourage screening and early detection of celiac disease; and
3. should increase Federal funding for celiac disease research.

11/17/09
The FDA's announcement on the Experiment GF Labeling Study can be found in the Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-27512.htm
 

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http://www.patientsactionnetwork.com/index.aspx