Did you know?
• Celiac Disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world. It affects as many as 3 million Americans, or roughly 1% of the population.
• Type 1 Diabetes affects 1,177,500 people; 6% (70,650) of those diagnosed also have celiac disease.
• 610,000 women in the US experience unexplained infertility; 6% (36,600) of these women might never learn that celiac disease is the cause.
• 350,000 people in the United States are living with Down Syndrome; 12% (42,000) of them also have celiac disease.
• The number of people with celiac disease in the U.S. is roughly equal to the number of people living in the state of Nevada.
• The National Commission on Digestive Diseases (NCDD) recently noted that physicians and medical staff members are unaware of the how common celiac disease is or what symptoms to look for. One of the Commission’s goals is to “improve screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of celiac disease.â€
What can you do?
May has been designated National Celiac Awareness Month by the Celiac Disease Foundation, and a bill is up for a vote that asks Congress to support the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month.
The American Celiac Disease Alliance (the group responsible for getting Congress to require food labeling of allergens) has issued an action alert: share the facts above with the legislators in Congress. Raising awareness of celiac disease can lead to increased physician education and training. This goal and the bill are supported by the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Dietetic Association, and the American Osteopathic Association.
All you have to do is click this link, fill out the form and either email or mail the letter. Together we can really make a statement!
I am grateful to the American Celiac Disease Alliance for all their work!
Leave a Reply