Item Description:
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Declaring May as Myositis Awareness Month in Hennepin County - offered by Commissioners Edelson and Lunde
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WHEREAS, residents of Hennepin County are among those affected by myositis and other rare diseases, because nearly one in ten Americans have rare diseases; and
WHEREAS, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (collectively referred to as myositis) are rare, chronic, autoimmune muscle wasting diseases; and, myositis often features debilitating muscle inflammation and other symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and trouble swallowing; and, myositis can result in myositis-associated interstitial lung disease; and
WHEREAS, more research is needed to identify the causes of and modes of treatments for the myositis group of diseases, which includes anti-MDA5 autoantibody positive myositis; antisynthetase syndrome; dermatomyositis; juvenile dermatomyositis; immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; inclusion body myositis; and polymyositis; and
WHEREAS, myositis is difficult to diagnose, so treatment is often delayed, and individuals generally experience difficulty finding a health care provider with expertise in their condition; and
WHEREAS, all who suffer with myositis experience reduced quality of life, especially as no cure has been found and life expectancy is shortened, especially for those with inclusion body myositis; and, women and people of color with all forms of myositis experience particularly pronounced health disparities; and
WHEREAS, The Myositis Association (TMA) is the leading international patient advocacy organization serving the myositis community, focusing on patient services, education, research, and public awareness, so as to achieve a world without myositis; and
WHEREAS, The Myositis Association is organizing a nationwide observance of Myositis Awareness Month from May 1-31, 2025.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners proclaims that May 2025 will be observed as Myositis Aw...
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