HR 42

                                                                       *HR1538*
                                                  Introduced Version
                    HOUSE
               RESOLUTION No. ___
                        Introduced by: Gore
                  ____________________________________
1A HOUSE RESOLUTION recognizing May 2026 as
2    Myositis Awareness Month.
3Whereas, Hoosiers are among those affected by myositis and
4    other rare diseases, as nearly one in 10 Americans have rare
5    diseases;
6Whereas, Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (collectively
7    referred to as myositis) are rare, chronic, autoimmune
8    muscle-wasting diseases, and myositis often features
9    debilitating muscle inflammation and other symptoms, such as
10    pain, fatigue, and trouble swallowing. Myositis can also result
11    in myositis-associated interstitial lung disease;
12      Whereas, More research is needed to identify the causes of
13    and modes of treatments for the myositis group of diseases,
14    which includes anti-MDA5 autoantibody positive myositis,
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1    antisynthetase syndrome, dermatomyositis, juvenile
2    dermatomyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy,
3    inclusion body myositis, and polymyositis;
4Whereas, Myositis is difficult to diagnose, so treatment is
5    often delayed, and individuals generally experience difficulty
6    finding a health care provider with expertise in their condition;
7Whereas, All who suffer from myositis experience reduced
8    quality of life, as no cure currently exists, and life expectancy
9    is shortened, especially for those with inclusion body myositis.
10    Additionally, women and people of color with all forms of
11    myositis experience particularly pronounced health disparities;
12Whereas, The Myositis Association is the leading
13    international patient advocacy organization serving the
14    myositis community, focusing on patient services, education,
15    research, and public awareness to achieve a world without
16    myositis; and
17Whereas, The Myositis Association is organizing a
18    nationwide observance of Myositis Awareness Month from May
19    1 to May 31, 2026: Therefore,
20Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the
21General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
22SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives
23    recognizes May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month.
24SECTION 2. That the Indiana House of Representatives
25    encourages all Hoosiers to learn more about the forms of
26    myositis and its symptoms and to support the families in the
27    state who will benefit from greater awareness of these rare
28    diseases.
29SECTION 3. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
30    Representatives shall transmit copies of this resolution to State
31    Representative Mitch Gore for distribution.
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