HR1716: HR1716 Myositis Awareness Month; May 2026; recognize

26 LC 112 3817 House Resolution 1716 By: Representatives Hilton of the 48th, Rice of the 139th, Ballard of the 147th, and Seabaugh of the 34th A RESOLUTION Recognizing May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, residents of Georgia are among those affected by myosi tis and other rare2 diseases—nearly one in ten Americans have a rare disease; and3 WHEREAS, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, collectively referred to as myositis, are4 rare, chronic autoimmune muscle-wasting diseases that often fea ture debilitating muscle5 inflammation, pain, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing and can result in myositis-associated6 interstitial lung disease; and7 WHEREAS, more research is needed to identify the causes of and treatments for myositis,8 which includes anti-MDA5 autoantibody-positive myositis, antisy nthetase syndrome,9 dermatomyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, immune-mediated necr otizing myopathy,10 inclusion body myositis, and polymyositis; and11 WHEREAS, myositis is difficult to diagnose, often leading to de layed treatment, and12 individuals with the disease frequently struggle to find healthcare providers with expertise13 in their condition; and14 H. R. 1716 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3817 WHEREAS, all who suffer from myositis experience a reduced quality of life, and no cure15 has been found; life expectancy is often shortened, particularly for those with inclusion body16 myositis, and women and people of color with all forms of myositis experience pronounced17 health disparities; and18 WHEREAS, The Myositis Association is the leading international patient advocacy19 organization serving the myositis community, focusing on patien t services, education,20 research, and public awareness in the pursuit of a world without myositis.21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that22 the members of this body recognize May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month.23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized24 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the25 public and the press.26 H. R. 1716 - 2 -