May 2026: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

WHEREAS, celiac disease is one of the most prevalent genetic autoimmune diseases in the world, affecting an estimated three million Americans, 70-80% of whom are undiagnosed; and,

WHEREAS, celiac disease causes the immune system to attack the small intestine in response to eating gluten and can lead to a wide range of serious health conditions, including cancer; and,

WHEREAS, celiac disease results in significant economic and productivity costs to both the public and private sectors due to employee and student absenteeism and frequent medical appointments; and,

WHEREAS, on average, it takes six to ten years to be correctly diagnosed with celiac disease; and,

WHEREAS, there is no medication or cure for celiac disease-the only treatment is a lifelong, strict gluten-free diet; and,

WHEREAS, studies show that up to 50% of people on a gluten-free diet continue to experience symptoms and intestinal damage, revealing the limited effectiveness of the gluten-free diet as a treatment; and,

WHEREAS, the Celiac Disease Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and health of individuals with celiac disease by advancing government support for biomedical research to develop diagnostic tools, life-improving treatments, and a cure for celiac disease, and to raise public awareness of this serious medical condition;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.