A concurrent resolution recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the designation of a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, and for other purposes.

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder that causes progressive, incurable lung scarring;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 1 of about 200 disorders that are called interstitial lung diseases;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common form of interstitial lung disease;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs that causes an irreversible loss of the ability of the lung tissue to transport oxygen;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, often causing disability or death within a few years;

Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;

Whereas more than 128,000 people in the United States have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year;

Whereas there has been a 156-percent increase in mortality from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis since 2001;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed;

Whereas the median survival rate for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 2 to 3 years, about 2/3 of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis die within 5 years, and approximately 40,000 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis die each year; and

Whereas there is a pressing need to increase awareness and detection of this misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed disorder, and of all interstitial lung diseases: Now, therefore, be it