WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) yesterday reintroduced a resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as a chronic disease affecting millions of women and designating March 2023 as National Endometriosis Awareness Month. This resolution would also encourage the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS), Defense (DOD), and Veterans Affairs (VA), to provide information on endometriosis to women, patients and providers and to improve screening tools and treatment options. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by U.S. Representative David Scott (D-Ga.).
“It’s important to talk about endometriosis so more women can receive the correct diagnosis and proper treatment from the start,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to join Senator Duckworth in introducing this resolution that will bring more awareness and attention to endometriosis on behalf of the millions of women affected by it.”
“Even though one out of every ten women of reproductive age in America suffers from endometriosis—which can be extremely painful and lead to infertility—too often this disease doesn’t receive adequate attention and research funding,”
Senator Duckworth said. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan resolution with Senator Capito to raise awareness for this debilitating disease and recognize the resilient women affected by it.”
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, affecting 6.5 million Americans. Women can suffer up to a decade before being properly diagnosed.
Along with Senators Capito and Duckworth, the resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii).
The resolution is supported by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Endometriosis Foundation; Society for Women’s Health Research and Women First Research Coalition.
A copy of the resolution text is available here.
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