HR 41

                                                                        *HR1536*
                                                  Introduced Version
                    HOUSE
               RESOLUTION No. ___
     Introduced by: Pryor, Harris, Jackson C, Bartlett, Burton,
    Hatcher, Pack, Porter, Shackleford, Smith V, Summers
                  ____________________________________
1A HOUSE RESOLUTION recognizing May 2026 as
2    Lupus Awareness Month.
3      Whereas, Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting
4    an estimated 1.5 million Americans with a disproportionately
5    negative impact on women and especially African American,
6    Hispanic/Latina, Asian American, Native American, Alaska
7    Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander women;
8Whereas, Lupus causes the immune system to attack healthy
9    tissue, resulting in widespread systemic inflammation and
10    damage to organs such as the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs,
11    and brain;
12Whereas, Symptoms of lupus can be highly variable,
13    affecting the musculoskeletal, nervous, blood, immune, and
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1    reproductive systems, and it can also cause increased risks of
2    cancer, chronic pain, fatigue, hair loss, eye complications, and
3    psychological effects, making diagnosis and treatment of the
4    disease difficult;
5Whereas, The variability of this condition often leads to
6    delays in treatment, increased health care costs, and reduced
7    quality of life for patients;
8Whereas, Public education campaigns, clinical trials, and
9    affordable health care are needed to improve early diagnosis,
10    reduce treatment time lags, and enhance lupus education
11    among both health care providers and the general public, as
12    there is no known cure for lupus;
13Whereas, May is recognized nationwide as Lupus Awareness
14    Month, a time to educate the public, advocate for additional
15    research funding, and acknowledge the strength of those
16    struggling with this chronic disease;
17Whereas, President Ronald Reagan first designated a
18    national month of awareness "to mark our great concern for
19    the thousands of Americans who suffer from lupus." Other
20    leaders have also joined this important cause; and
21Whereas, Indiana must join these efforts to raise awareness,
22    reduce health disparities, and support individuals and families
23    affected by lupus: Therefore,
24Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the
25General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
26SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives
27    recognizes May 2026 as Lupus Awareness Month to raise
28    awareness of this debilitating autoimmune disease and its
29    impact on communities throughout Indiana.
30SECTION 2. That the Indiana House of Representatives
31    recognizes the need for expanded research funding, public
32    education campaigns, and efforts to make treatments more
33    accessible to those affected by lupus.
34SECTION 3. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
35    Representatives shall transmit copies of this resolution to State
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1    Representative Cherrish Pryor, the Indiana Community Action
2    Poverty Institute, the Lupus Foundation of America, and to all
3    other appropriate agencies involved with lupus awareness and
4    advocacy for distribution.
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