AR HR1049

Designates May 2021 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in Arkansas.

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States and 280 in Arkansas have cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas.

Median survival age for CF patients is 46 years for males and 41 years for females in the United States, with approximately 1,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

Arkansas has two world-class treatment centers specializing in CF diagnosis and care: Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Early diagnosis through infant blood screening and access to innovative treatments are critical to improving length and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis.