Whereas celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a
genetic autoimmune disease that affects 1 of every 133 people in the United
States;
Whereas research indicates that there are approximately 3
million people with celiac disease in the United States, yet only approximately
120,000 of those have been diagnosed;
Whereas approximately 1 in 22 first-degree relatives of
people diagnosed with celiac disease will also be diagnosed with celiac
disease;
Whereas the average time frame for diagnosing celiac
disease in the United States is 11 years from the original onset of
symptoms;
Whereas celiac disease affects equal percentages of men
and women;
Whereas celiac disease may have severe and varied
detrimental effects on the body, and the health care costs associated with
celiac disease are unknown;
Whereas people with celiac disease tend to have other
autoimmune diseases as well;
Whereas it is estimated at approximately 10 percent of
individuals with Type I Diabetes and an estimated 16 percent of individuals
with Down Syndrome have celiac disease;
Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is
strict adherence to a gluten-free diet;
Whereas it is particularly important for students with
celiac disease to have access to their medically prescribed diet while at
school and in school-based activities;
Whereas the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Celiac
Disease held in June 2004 found that consultation with a skilled dietitian and
identification and treatment of nutritional deficiencies were key elements in
the management of celiac disease;
Whereas the consensus panel on celiac disease recommended
the standardization of serologic tests and pathologic criteria for the
diagnosis of celiac disease, the adoption of a standard definition of a
gluten-free diet based on objective evidence such as that being developed by
the American Dietetic Association, and the development of an adequate testing
procedure to determine the amount of gluten in foods and of a definition of
standards for gluten-free foods in the United States to lay the foundation for
rational food labeling;
Whereas increased recognition and awareness of celiac
disease will have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of
people with celiac disease; and
Whereas numerous organizations recognize May as National
Celiac Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it
That Congress—
(1)supports the goals
and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month;
(2)should work with
health care providers and celiac disease advocacy and education organizations
to encourage screening and early detection of celiac disease; and
(3)should increase
Federal funding for celiac disease research.