Governor Stein Proclaims Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celiac Disease Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, celiac disease is one of the world’s most prevalent genetic autoimmune diseases, affecting an estimated 3 million Americans, 70 percent to 80 percent of whom are undiagnosed; and 

Whereas, celiac disease causes the body to attack its own small intestine, which can lead to many other devastating health conditions, including cancer; and 

Whereas, celiac disease results in extraordinary economic and productivity costs to both the public and private sectors from employee and student absenteeism, as well as repeated, inconclusive visits to health care providers; and 

Whereas, on average, it takes four years for a person to be correctly diagnosed with celiac disease; there is no medication or cure for celiac disease; and the only treatment is a lifelong and strict gluten-free diet; and 

Whereas, studies show that up to 50 percent of people on a gluten-free diet continue to experience symptoms and have intestinal damage, revealing the ineffectiveness of the gluten-free diet as a treatment; and 

Whereas, the Celiac Disease Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of celiac disease and 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; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH STEIN, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as “Celiac Disease Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.