A new bill introduced by Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI-1), co-ponsored by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL-6) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA-3), April 23, would infuse more than $43 million into new funding mechanisms for autoimmune disease research, awareness, and prevention.  H.R. 2084, cited as the “Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2009” (PARAiD), seeks to bring vital funding to a category of diseases which ranks as a top cause of death in children under four years of age and women in all age groups up to 64 years of age.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 23.5 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease, and the prevalence is on the rise.  Diseases categorized as autoimmune include lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, psoriasis, celiac disease and more than 80 others. 

“I am pleased to re-introduce this legislation which will increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and work to alleviate the suffering of millions of Americans.  These chronic diseases prevent many from being able to fully participate in their work and family lives, and the health care costs for autoimmune diseases are staggering.  This bill seeks to help those afflicted by increasing research on the environmental triggers, enhancing education, and encouraging more physician research on autoimmune diseases,” said Kennedy.

“The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is thrilled to see Rep. Kennedy introducing this landmark and urgently needed new legislation.  PARAiD will bring new funding for research into the environmental triggers of autoimmune diseases which could lead to prevention of these diseases and reduction of the significant health care cost associated with them,” according to Virginia T. Ladd, President and Executive Director of AARDA.  She adds, “In addition, new funding provides opportunities for awareness and education to individuals and families at high risk to develop autoimmune disease but who lack pertinent information.”  The PARAiD bill will address five main issues within autoimmune diseases:

* Research on Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Diseases

* Grants to Increase Awareness of Autoimmune Diseases

* Grants for Education on Relationship Between Autoimmune Diseases and Mental Illness

* Loan Repayment Program Regarding Physician Research on Autoimmune Diseases

* Research and Database on Biomarkers of Autoimmune Diseases

PARAiD will authorize grant funding specifically for awareness up to $18 million.  This kind of infusion of resources would allow autoimmune patient advocates like AARDA to make huge strides in educating the public about a category of diseases that is often debilitating and possibly fatal.  A study by AARDA from 2008, “Knowledge of Autoimmune Diseases,” showed that one-quarter of Americans (25.3 percent) say they don’t know the names of any autoimmune diseases; three in ten say they know “none” (29.9 percent).  Nearly one-third of Americans (31.9 percent) continue to incorrectly name AIDS as an autoimmune disease. 

Mrs. Ladd remarks, “AARDA is confident that with the passage of PARAiD we can turn these numbers around. More resources will be available to educate Americans on the importance of learning their family history as autoimmune diseases tend to be genetically linked.  Individuals will learn how to obtain a proper diagnosis, leading to an increase in timely and effective treatment.”   She comments further, “We applaud Rep. Kennedy and Rep. Stearns for recognizing the depth of the autoimmune problem and taking active steps in the direction of a cure.” 

For more information on autoimmune diseases or the PARAiD bill, contact AARDA on the at 586-776-3900. 

For the full text of the bill, click here:  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2084ih.txt.pdf