Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0232

HR0232 LRB104 12998 LAW 24688 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis is the name given to a family of closely related, chronic rheumatic diseases that pose a major health concern in the United States, impacting one in 100 Americans; and

WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis affects 3.2 million adults in the U.S., more than RA, ALS, and MS combined; it can occur early in life and is a condition for which there is no known cure; and

WHEREAS, Many women, especially Black women, impacted by the disease remain undiagnosed due to inadequate awareness, with the average diagnostic delay being seven to 10 years; and

WHEREAS, There are fewer than 400 pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S., and approximately one-fourth of the 300,000 children with arthritis must travel 80 or more miles to see a rheumatologist; and

WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, juvenile spondyloarthritis, undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, peripheral spondyloarthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of spondyloarthritis typically begin before the age of 45, with early signs including frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks and pain in a peripheral joint, such as the hip, ankle, elbow, heel, or shoulder; and

WHEREAS, A portion of people with spondyloarthritis will progress to spinal fusion and will become prone to fractures, thoracic kyphosis, or eroded peripheral joints, especially the hips and shoulders; and

WHEREAS, Complications from spondyloarthritis may cause serious inflammation in other organs, including the heart, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, nerves, and eyes; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis is critical in effectively treating the disease, preventing certain complications, reducing medical disability, and improving quality of life and function for those impacted with spondyloarthritis; and

WHEREAS, An increase in awareness of spondyloarthritis and its symptoms, with both medical professionals and the general public, can increase the likelihood of earlier diagnosis with all of its benefits to patients and society; and

WHEREAS, People living with this potentially debilitating disease should be provided with the resources, education, and support needed for a timely diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes so that they can live their lives to the fullest; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 2025 as Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.