Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of Gout Awareness Day

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, National Gout Awareness Day will occur on May 22, 2026. This marks the 20th anniversary that patients, care partners, advocates and the medical community around the United States raise awareness of the crucial needs of people suffering from this chronic and painful form of arthritis.

Gout is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis affecting more than 12 million Americans. Gout occurs due to a buildup of uric acid in the body. When excess uric acid builds up in the body, it deposits around joints and can lead to swollen joints and sudden, intensely painful attacks that can be debilitating.

It is a chronic medical condition that, left untreated, can result in more frequent or painful attacks and joint damage. It can also increase patients' risk for other severe medical conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.

While gout is not currently curable, it is treatable if patients have access to care that manages acute gout flares and addresses the root cause of chronic gout. Continuous and timely access to care is critical to ensure gout patients can successfully manage their disease.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me and rise in commemoration of Gout Awareness Day, honoring those committed to helping alleviate the suffering of people with gout and those people dealing with this chronic inflammatory condition.

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