[CongressionalAJR97 BillsASSEMBLY 119thJOINT Congress]RESOLUTION [FromNo. the U.S.

Government97 PublishingSTATE Office]OF [H.NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE   PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION     Sponsored by:

Res.Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer) Assemblywoman LINDA S.

579CARTER IntroducedDistrict in22 House(Somerset (IH)]and <DOC>Union) 119thAssemblywoman CONGRESSANNETTE 1stQUIJANO SessionDistrict H.20 (Union)   Co-Sponsored by:

RES.Assemblywoman Speight         SYNOPSIS      Designates July of each year as "Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month."   CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

579   SupportingA theJoint designationResolution ofdesignating July of each year as Uterine“Uterine FibroidsFibroid Awareness Month.Month.”   Whereas, Uterine fibroids are a common type of noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on uteruses;

_______________________________________________________________________and INWhereas, THEIt HOUSEis OFestimated REPRESENTATIVESthat July20 14,percent 2025to Mr.50 percent of women of reproductive age currently have uterine fibroids, and up to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids before menopause;

Davidand ScottWhereas, In the United States, an estimated 26,000,000 women between the ages of Georgia15 (forand himself,50 Ms.have uterine fibroids, and approximately 15,000,000 of these individuals experience symptoms;

Clarkeand Whereas, Most women will experience uterine fibroids by the age of New50, York,yet Ms.few data exists describing the overall patient experience with fibroids;

Ansari,and Mr.Whereas, Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, fatigue, back pain, frequent urination, bowel dysfunction, pain during sex, infertility, and pregnancy complications and loss;

Carterand ofWhereas, Louisiana,People Mrs.with uterine fibroids are much more likely to miscarry during early pregnancy than people without them;

Dingell,and Mr.Whereas, The pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may significantly interfere with quality of life for the diagnosed individual, compromising their ability to function normally or work or care for their family, and may lead to more severe health and wellness issues;

Fields,and Mr.Whereas, Small fibroids often do not need treatment, but larger fibroids can be treated with medications or surgery;

Figures,and Mr.Whereas, Many people with fibroids are likely undiagnosed;

Krishnamoorthi,and Ms.Whereas, Patients wait on average 3.6 years before seeking treatment, and over 40 percent of patients see two or more health care providers prior to receiving a diagnosis, underscoring the need for improved awareness and education;

Leeand Whereas, People of Pennsylvania,color Mrs.are more likely to develop uterine fibroids.

McIver, It Mr.is estimated that more than 80 percent of Black women and about 70 percent of White women develop fibroids by the time they reach menopause.

Mullin, Black Ms.individuals with fibroids have also been shown to have more severe symptoms and develop early-onset uterine fibroids that develop into larger tumors;

Norton,and Ms.Whereas, Current research and available data do not provide adequate information on the prevalence and incidence of fibroids in Asian, Hispanic, and Black individuals;

Salinas,and Ms.Whereas, According to the Evidence Report Summary on the Management of Uterine Fibroids, as compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the Department of Health and Human Services, there is a remarkable lack of high-quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of most interventions for symptomatic fibroids;

Sewell,and Mr.Whereas, Most medical options for managing fibroid symptoms regulate or suppress menstruation and prevent pregnancy.

Thanedar, There Mr.is a need for minimally invasive, fertility-friendly therapies, as well as biomarkers, imaging assessments, or risk-based algorithms that can help predict patient response to therapy;

Thompsonand Whereas, The presence of Mississippi,symptomatic Mrs.uterine fibroids is the most common reason for hysterectomies, accounting for 39 percent of hysterectomies annually in the United States.

Trahan, Approximately Ms.42 per 1,000 women are hospitalized annually because of uterine fibroids, but Black patients have higher rates of hospitalization, hysterectomies, and myomectomies compared to White women;

Velazquez,and Ms.Whereas, Uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hospitalization related to a gynecological disorder;

Wassermanand Schultz,Whereas, Mrs.Despite their prevalence among women nationwide, as shown by national data, state-level research on uterine fibroids is limited, resulting in a lack of specific data pertaining to uterine fibroids for women in New Jersey;

Watsonand Coleman,Whereas, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is improving the quality of life for New Jerseyans diagnosed with uterine fibroids, by offering Uterine Fibroid Embolization, a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery that provides a safe and Ms.effective treatment solution;

Brown)and submittedWhereas, It is appropriate for the followingState resolution;of New Jersey to improve public awareness and understanding of this underdiagnosed health issue that affects many women across the State, encourage support for those individuals who have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and to promote more initiatives at the State, local, and national levels to enhance research into diagnosing and treating this disease;

whichnow, wastherefore, referred  to     theBe CommitteeIt onResolved Energyby andthe CommerceSenate _______________________________________________________________________and RESOLUTIONGeneral SupportingAssembly of the designationState of JulyNew asJersey: Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

Whereas  fibroids     may1.  causeThe significantmonth morbidityof throughJuly theirof presenceeach inyear theshall uterusbe anddesignated pelvicas cavity,“Uterine causingFibroid significantAwareness pelvicMonth” pain,to abnormalincrease uterineawareness bleeding,of reproductivethis dysfunction,condition, miscarriages,its impact on the residents of this State, and evento infertility;promote further research into effective diagnostic mechanisms and treatments.

Whereas  the     pain,2.  discomfort,The stress,Governor andis otherrespectively physicalrequested andto emotionalannually symptomsissue ofa livingproclamation withrecognizing fibroidsJuly mayof significantlyeach interfereyear withas a“Uterine woman'sFibroid qualityAwareness ofMonth” life,in compromisingNew herJersey, abilityand tocall functionupon normally,public work,officials orand carethe forcitizens herof family,this andState mayto leadobserve tothe moreday severewith healthappropriate activities and wellnessprograms. issues;

Whereas     uterine3. fibroids are the most prevalent medical condition affecting women, with an estimated 30 percent of women developing a uterine fibroid by age 35, and 80 percent of women developing a uterine fibroid by age 50;

Whereas This thejoint exactresolution numbershall oftake affectedeffect womenimmediately. is unknown, as early detection and diagnosis are difficult because only 1 out of 4 women who have a uterine fibroid exhibit symptoms severe enough to require treatment;

Whereas  theSTATEMENT overall  incidence     This resolution designates July of uterineeach fibroidsyear isas estimated“Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month” in New Jersey to disproportionatelyimprove impactpublic Blackawareness and Hispanicunderstanding women,of whothis alsounderdiagnosed experiencehealth moredisease, severeencourage symptoms,support resultingfor inthose andiagnosed incidencewith rateuterine thatfibroids, isand 3to timespromote greatermore ininitiatives womenat withthe BlackState, ancestrylocal, and 2national timeslevels greaterto inenhance Hispanicresearch womeninto comparedeffective todiagnosis Caucasianand women;treatments of this disease.

Whereas     Uterine fibroids are a hysterectomy,common ortype removalof noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on uteruses.  It is estimated that 20 percent to 50 percent of women of reproductive age currently have uterine fibroids, and up to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids before menopause.  Most women will experience uterine fibroids by the uterus,age isof among50, yet few data exists describing the mostoverall commonpatient surgicalexperience treatmentswith fibroids.  Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, fatigue, back pain, frequent urination, bowel dysfunction, pain during sex, infertility, and pregnancy complications and loss.       The pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may significantly interfere with quality of life for uterinethe fibroids,diagnosed individual, compromising their ability to function normally or work or care for their family, and may lead to more thansevere 200,000health hysterectomiesand wellness issues.  Many people with fibroids are performedlikely eachundiagnosed.  yearPatients wait on average 3.6 years before seeking treatment, and over 40 percent of patients see two or more health care providers prior to treatreceiving uterinea fibroids,diagnosis, atunderscoring anthe estimatedneed annualfor costimproved awareness and education.  People of color are more thanlikely $2,000,000,000;to develop uterine fibroids.       According to the Evidence Report Summary on the Management of Uterine Fibroids, as compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the Department of Health and Human Services, there is a remarkable lack of high-quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of most interventions for symptomatic fibroids.  Most medical options for managing fibroid symptoms regulate or suppress menstruation and prevent pregnancy.

Whereas There uterineis fibroidsa wereneed estimatedfor minimally invasive, fertility-friendly therapies, as well as biomarkers, imaging assessments, or risk-based algorithms that can help predict patient response to costtherapy.  Despite the Unitedprevalence Statesof $5,900,000,000uterine tofibroids $34,400,000,000among annuallywomen withnationwide, anas estimatedshown annualby lostnational workdata, coststate-level research on uterine fibroids is limited, resulting in a lack of $1,600,000,000specific data pertaining to $17,200,000,000uterine throughfibroids absenteeismfor andwomen short-termin disabilityNew Jersey.       Recognizing July of each year as “Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month” in womenNew agesJersey 25will tohelp 54;increase awareness of uterine fibroids, its impact on the residents of this State, and promote further research into effective diagnostic mechanisms and treatments.

and Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on uterine fibroids prevention, screening, and symptoms are held during the month of July each year:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the goals and ideals of Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month;

(2) recognizes the disparity in incidence rates for Black and Hispanic uterine fibroid patients;

(3) recognizes the need for greater research, treatment, and care options regarding uterine leiomyoma;