The Sjögren’s Foundation is deeply concerned about the recent funding cuts across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These cuts to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pose a significant threat to public health, the advancement of medical research, and the well-being of millions of patients, including those living with Sjögren’s disease.
The Sjögren’s Foundation believes that investment in health and research is essential. As the voice of the Sjögren’s community, we are guided by a core commitment to advancing policies that drive earlier diagnosis, accelerate the development of therapies, advance disease understanding across healthcare professions, and improve the quality of life of people living with Sjögren’s disease. Sjögren's is a serious, systemic autoimmune disease affecting millions of individuals. Despite its prevalence, it remains widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.
The NIH is the premier global institution for medical research, providing critical funding for studies that lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements for diseases that are difficult to diagnose and treat, such as Sjögren’s. The NIH is the primary funder of research institutions that advance knowledge about diseases. Indiscriminate budget cuts will slow the pace of research not only at the federal level, but also across all research institutions. It will delay the development of new therapies and diagnostics and significantly hinder the ability to find cures for debilitating diseases. For Sjögren's disease, ongoing research is vital to understanding its causes, improving diagnostic methods, and developing effective treatments.
Patients with Sjögren's disease rely on the hope that ongoing research brings. It takes years to receive a diagnosis and even then, the options for treatment are limited. Currently there are no FDA-approved treatments for Sjögren’s disease,” said Janet Church, President and CEO of the Sjögren’s Foundation. “Sjögren’s research lags far behind other autoimmune disease research and we have just started making inroads with NIH-funded programs. To reduce funding means continued delays in understanding this disease and finding new biomarkers to ensure accurate diagnosis for all patients and new treatments to address the varied symptoms that patients experience. Funding cuts to the NIH will not only diminish this hope but will also directly impact the quality of life for all people living with Sjögren’s now and in the future.
The FDA’s role is equally vital. The FDA plays a critical role in advancing public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of medical products. It is instrumental in promoting innovation by expediting the development of effective and safe medical treatments, which is vital for conditions like Sjögren’s disease that currently lack FDA-approved therapies. With fewer resources and loss of experienced leadership, the FDA may face delays in reviewing new therapies and a diminished capacity to maintain high standards for safety and efficacy. That is a risk we cannot afford for a patient community that has already waited too long for solutions.
The CDC serves as the nation’s frontline defense against health threats, from emerging infectious diseases to chronic conditions. Its data-driven approach is essential for detecting, preventing, and responding to disease outbreaks and informing providers about emerging health trends. Budget reductions could compromise the CDC’s ability to conduct critical research, implement public health programs, and train the workforce needed to address complex health issues. This could mean reduced awareness among providers for complex conditions like Sjögren’s and diminished support for community health initiatives that improve quality of life.
These cuts are more than numbers in a budget. They are not only federal jobs. These cuts impact jobs at all research institutions and represent a significant setback for promising projects and initiatives that could lead to innovations for various conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s. We strongly urge the Administration and Congress to acknowledge the indispensable role these agencies play in safeguarding public health, driving medical research, improving patient outcomes, and stimulating economic growth nationwide. Sjögren’s disease affects 4 million Americans and autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans. Action is needed to ensure thoughtful analysis of cuts and funding to secure advancements in autoimmune disease research and treatments.
The Sjögren’s Foundation remains steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the needs of those living with Sjögren’s disease. As changes occur at the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies, the Sjögren’s Foundation will continue advocating every day for the needs of our patient community. We are committed to ensuring that Sjögren’s stays on the radar of policymakers, so Sjögren’s research continues, healthcare professionals understand the disease and its impact, and so that the voices of patients are represented in decisions that shape health policy, funding, and research. Read about our March 2025 congressional briefing and new resolution.
The Sjögren’s Foundation is deeply concerned about the recent funding cuts across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These cuts to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pose a significant threat to public health, the advancement of medical research, and the well-being of millions of patients, including those living with Sjögren’s disease.
The Sjögren’s Foundation believes that investment in health and research is essential. As the voice of the Sjögren’s community, we are guided by a core commitment to advancing policies that drive earlier diagnosis, accelerate the development of therapies, advance disease understanding across healthcare professions, and improve the quality of life of people living with Sjögren’s disease. Sjögren's is a serious, systemic autoimmune disease affecting millions of individuals. Despite its prevalence, it remains widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.
The NIH is the premier global institution for medical research, providing critical funding for studies that lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements for diseases that are difficult to diagnose and treat, such as Sjögren’s. The NIH is the primary funder of research institutions that advance knowledge about diseases. Indiscriminate budget cuts will slow the pace of research not only at the federal level, but also across all research institutions. It will delay the development of new therapies and diagnostics and significantly hinder the ability to find cures for debilitating diseases. For Sjögren's disease, ongoing research is vital to understanding its causes, improving diagnostic methods, and developing effective treatments.
The FDA’s role is equally vital. The FDA plays a critical role in advancing public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of medical products. It is instrumental in promoting innovation by expediting the development of effective and safe medical treatments, which is vital for conditions like Sjögren’s disease that currently lack FDA-approved therapies. With fewer resources and loss of experienced leadership, the FDA may face delays in reviewing new therapies and a diminished capacity to maintain high standards for safety and efficacy. That is a risk we cannot afford for a patient community that has already waited too long for solutions.
The CDC serves as the nation’s frontline defense against health threats, from emerging infectious diseases to chronic conditions. Its data-driven approach is essential for detecting, preventing, and responding to disease outbreaks and informing providers about emerging health trends. Budget reductions could compromise the CDC’s ability to conduct critical research, implement public health programs, and train the workforce needed to address complex health issues. This could mean reduced awareness among providers for complex conditions like Sjögren’s and diminished support for community health initiatives that improve quality of life.
These cuts are more than numbers in a budget. They are not only federal jobs. These cuts impact jobs at all research institutions and represent a significant setback for promising projects and initiatives that could lead to innovations for various conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s. We strongly urge the Administration and Congress to acknowledge the indispensable role these agencies play in safeguarding public health, driving medical research, improving patient outcomes, and stimulating economic growth nationwide. Sjögren’s disease affects 4 million Americans and autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans. Action is needed to ensure thoughtful analysis of cuts and funding to secure advancements in autoimmune disease research and treatments.
The Sjögren’s Foundation remains steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the needs of those living with Sjögren’s disease. As changes occur at the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies, the Sjögren’s Foundation will continue advocating every day for the needs of our patient community. We are committed to ensuring that Sjögren’s stays on the radar of policymakers, so Sjögren’s research continues, healthcare professionals understand the disease and its impact, and so that the voices of patients are represented in decisions that shape health policy, funding, and research. Read about our March 2025 congressional briefing and new resolution.