GLOBAL Applauds Congress for $15 million Increase for NIH Down Syndrome/INCLUDE Research Initiative in Recently Passed Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill

Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) applauds Congress for including an unprecedented $15 million increase over the Fiscal Year 2022 funding level for the NIH Down Syndrome/INCLUDE research initiative in the recently passed Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. GLOBAL has been a leading advocate for addressing the significant gap in federal research funding for Down syndrome. Based on GLOBAL’s efforts, Congress held the first ever hearing on Down syndrome research in October of 2017, which was a catalyst for the launch of the NIH INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) research initiative.

“We are so grateful for the growing bipartisan support in Congress that has led to significant increases in federal funding to help researchers answer important scientific questions that will improve the lives of individuals living with Down syndrome,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL President and CEO. “For far too long Down syndrome has been the least funded genetic disorder, and I’m so grateful for all the GLOBAL self-advocates, families and researchers who have succeeded in convincing Congress to increase funding.” 

“Researchers at the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome have been at the forefront of international efforts to find answers addressing the unique disease spectrum that impacts individuals with Down syndrome,” said Dr. Joaquín Espinosa, Executive Director of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. “These funds will help advance scientists’ understanding of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune disorders that disproportionately impact individuals with Down syndrome.”

GLOBAL thanked everyone in Congress who supported these efforts and are continuing to help increase Down syndrome research funding as we enter the new 118th Congress in January. Specifically, GLOBAL thanked House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Dick Durbin (D-IL).

GLOBAL is at the forefront of research, medical care, education, and advocacy dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome. To learn more, please visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org. 

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Contacts:

Kevin Brennan                                                         Anca Elena Call

202-253-0924                                                          720-320-3832   
kbrennan@bluebird-strategies.com                        acall@globaldownsyndrome.org

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