Congressman Meek Introduces Landmark Lupus Legislation
March 1, 2007Washington, DC - Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (FL) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that expands federal efforts to combat lupus, an often debilitating and life-threatening autoimmune disease that is difficult to diagnose and disproportionately strikes young women of color in their childbearing years.
The Meek bill builds upon the Lupus Research and Care Amendments introduced by Rep. Meek's mother and predecessor in Congress, retired U.S. Rep. Carrie P. Meek. Portions of that bill passed the House and Senate and became Public Law 106-505.
"An estimated 1.5 to 2 million Americans are affected by lupus, many of whom are women of color," said Meek, whose aunt died of the disease. "Lupus occurs two to three times more frequently among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans; a health disparity that remains unexplained. This legislation seeks to address gaps in research and heighten awareness of lupus symptoms and health effects among the public and health professionals."
The bill, H.R. 1192, is entitled the Lupus REACH Amendments of 2007, for Research, Education, Awareness, Communication, and Healthcare. The legislation will promote collaboration within the National Institutes of Health to enhance research to identify the causes of lupus; develop more effective treatments and hopefully a cure; improve lupus data collection and epidemiology; expand public awareness and professional education programs aimed at reaching individuals who are at greatest risk for lupus; and educate doctors and other health professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment. The bill also authorizes a comprehensive national-scale study to determine the incidence and prevalence of lupus among various populations.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus affects 1.5 to 2 million Americans. Of serious concern is that this disease disproportionately affects women of color - it is two to three times more common among African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans and is generally more prevalent in minority populations - a health disparity that remains unexplained.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the rate of lupus mortality has increased since the late 1970s and is higher among older African-American women. Comprehensive and definitive epidemiologic studies are needed to improve our understanding of these health disparities and move us toward closing the gaps.
Lupus is the prototypical autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ system in the body, including the skin, joints and vital organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.
Congressman Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida, which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.