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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 31, 2023 12:17 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kathy L. Rapp |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Designating the Week of September 17 through 24, 2023, as "Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania |
| I plan to introduce a resolution in the near future designating the week of September 17 through 24, 2023, as "Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating and generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport oxygen. IPF progresses quickly, often causing disability or death within three to five years. While IPF is five times more common than cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig's Disease (or ALS), the disease is often misdiagnosed or under diagnosed. IPF remains virtually unknown and receives a fraction of the research funding. More than 132,000 United States citizens have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Approximately 7,000 Pennsylvanians suffer from this disease. At the same time, Pennsylvania has become a leader in research and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with more than 15 percent of all lung transplants in the United States performed in Pennsylvania hospitals. While progress has been made in recent years to increase awareness, more work must be done to educate health care professionals and the public about this disease, which can support improved diagnosis and treatment. Please consider joining me in cosponsoring this important resolution. |
Introduced as HR203