Bill Text: NJ SR20 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Governor and memorializes Congress to establish research center in NJ dedicated to chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders and associated chronic illnesses.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-06-11 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR20 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR20-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Morris and Somerset)
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor and memorializes Congress to establish research center in NJ dedicated to chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders and associated chronic illnesses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Governor and memorializing Congress to encourage the establishment of a research center in New Jersey dedicated to chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders and associated chronic illnesses.
Whereas, Neuroendocrine immune disorders (NEIDs) currently include chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy/myalgic encephalitis, fibromyalgia, Gulf War illness, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, and associated chronic illnesses; and
Whereas, A minimum of 20 million American adults and children suffer with NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses; and
Whereas, The time from illness onset to diagnosis of NEIDs is approximately three to seven years; and
Whereas, The mechanisms of chronic illness including NEIDs may include bacterial and viral infections; and
Whereas, Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy/myalgic encephalitis, fibromyalgia, Gulf War illness, and multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome have been characterized as being as disabling as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal failure, and rheumatoid arthritis; and as life-impairing as multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and cancer chemotherapy treatments; and
Whereas, The similarity of symptoms of NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses imply a common pathophysiology of these illnesses; therefore, discoveries and advances made in the etiology and treatment of any one of these illnesses will be applicable and beneficial to the other NEIDs and associatedchronic illnesses because of their common pathophysiology; and
Whereas, There is mounting evidence of similarities of presentation and origins of NEIDs with autism, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Parkinson's disease and other autoimmune diseases; and
Whereas, Having a research center in this State is essential to: promoting research into the etiology of, and therapeutic interventions for NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses; establishing treatment protocols and providing patient care for all individuals in the State afflicted with NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses; serving as a repository for NEIDs and associated chronic illness research data, patient data, and research publications; serving as a resource for NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses researchers by sponsoring scientific meetings and encouraging discourse among researchers; serving as a tertiary resource for both physicians and patients in their efforts to manage NEIDs and associated chronic illnesses; and advancing both NEIDs and associated chronic illness research and patient care by disseminating the most recent advances in NEIDs and associated chronic illness research, diagnostics, and treatment protocols; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Governor to encourage the establishment of a research center in this State dedicated to chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders and associated chronic illnesses.
2. This House respectfully memorializes Congress to encourage the establishment of a research center in this State dedicated to chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders and associated chronic illnesses.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to:
a. The Governor and the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services; and
b. The Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of the United States Congress from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Governor and respectfully memorializes Congress to encourage the establishment of a research center in New Jersey dedicated to understanding and treating chronic neuroendocrine immune disorders (NEIDs), such as chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy/myalgic encephalitis (CFS/ME), fibromyalgia, Gulf War illness, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, and associated chronic illnesses.
It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that CFS/ME affects between one and four million Americans and that 85% of individuals suffering with this debilitating and disabling illness have not been properly diagnosed. The economic impact and loss of worker productivity in the United States due to CFS/ME, alone, is estimated to be over $9 billion per year. Census data and the incidence rate of CFS in the United States projects that an estimated 28,000 to 30,000 residents of this State will suffer from CFS/ME. The symptoms of CFS/ME include flu-like symptoms (sore throat, fever, chills, tender neck, and armpit lymph nodes, unrefreshing or non-restorative sleep, headaches, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours), as well as body-wide muscle and joint pain, cognitive impairment, and short-term memory loss.
The CDC reports that fibromyalgia (FM) affects five million women, men, and children in the United States. FM is a condition characterized by body-wide muscle pain, tender points, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment (fibro-fog or brain fog), overwhelming fatigue, swelling, joint pain, non-restorative sleep, and migraine headaches.
According to the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, Gulf War illness (GWI) is estimated to affect between 175,000 to 200,000 United States veterans, some of whom have been suffering for over 17 years. GWI is characterized by multiple, diverse symptoms that include a combination of memory and concentration problems, chronic headache, unexplained fatigue, widespread pain, chronic digestive problems, respiratory symptoms, and skin rashes.
Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome and other environmental illnesses are estimated to affect 10% of the American population. These illnesses have a variable, and overlapping, presentation with other NEIDs, and have symptoms that include any combination of extreme fatigue/lethargy, muscle/joint pain, sleep disturbances, headaches/migraine headaches, sensitivity to light and noise, dizziness/vertigo, poor memory/poor concentration, nausea/digestive problems, sore throat, constant coughing, wheezing, skin rashes, or burning/stinging eyes.
