FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2024
Contact: Hayley Gray-Hoehn, hayley.gray-hoehn@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Thyroid Disease CARE Act and hosted a press conference on the House steps to raise awareness about the disparities in the research and treatment of thyroid disorders which disproportionately affect women.
“1 in 8 American women will develop thyroid issues in their lifetimes,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D- MI). “That’s why I introduced the Thyroid Disease CARE Act this week – to infuse $30 million in research funding through the Department of Health and Human Services to explore why women are disproportionately impacted by thyroid disease. Health issues specific to or more prevalent in women have historically been overlooked and under researched and with women making up more than half the population, it’s high time to right this wrong.”
“As a physician who treats thyroid disorders and sees their impact on patients’ lives, I understand the need for greater insight into their causes and for advances in our tools to diagnose and treat them. More funding for thyroid research is long overdue.” said Dr. Paul Ladenson. “That’s why I was thrilled to join Congresswoman Haley Stevens this week at the U.S. Capitol in support of the Thyroid Disease CARE Act. It’s time for more Federal resources to be directed to understanding and managing a set of diseases that affect so many Americans, especially women.”
“As a thyroid cancer survivor, I know very deeply the urgent need for research into thyroid disease,” said Bryn Silverman, advocate and filmmaker. “So often our experiences as people living with thyroid disease are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all; our quality of life is undervalued and our symptoms are overlooked. The Thyroid Disease CARE Act has the potential to change thousands of people’s lives and expand the vocabulary we as patients have to make informed decisions about our healthcare.”
Watch the press conference in full here.
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