PA HR174

Designates July 2025 as "Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania

Juvenile arthritis affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States, with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) being the most common type in children 16 years of age or younger

JIA is an autoinflammatory disease of unknown origin with six subtypes; research indicates a genetic predisposition that may be triggered by factors such as a virus

Treatment includes medications (steroids, disease-modifying drugs, biologics) and physical/occupational therapy, with care best provided by pediatric rheumatology teams

Children with JIA may qualify for school accommodations under 29 U.S.C. Ch. 16 and assistance through state agency services