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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Celiac disease is one of the world's most
3prevalent genetic autoimmune diseases, affecting an estimated
4three million Americans, 70-80% of whom are undiagnosed; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Celiac disease causes the body to attack its own
6small intestine, which can lead to many other devastating
7health conditions, including cancer; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Celiac disease results in extraordinary economic
9and productivity costs to both the public and private sectors
10from employee and student absenteeism, as well as repeated,
11inconclusive visits to healthcare providers; and
 
12    WHEREAS, On average, it takes four years to be correctly
13diagnosed with celiac disease; and
 
14    WHEREAS, There is no medication or cure for celiac
15disease; the only treatment is a lifelong, strict gluten-free
16diet; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Studies show that up to 50% of people on a
18gluten-free diet continue to experience symptoms and have
19intestinal damage, revealing the ineffectiveness of the
20gluten-free diet as a treatment; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we declare May 2024 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the
4State of Illinois to raise public awareness of this serious
5condition; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That we encourage support for improving the
7quality of life and health of individuals with celiac disease
8by advancing biomedical research to develop diagnostic tools,
9life-improving treatments, and a cure.