Designates July of each year as "Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 2 co-sponsors

Designates July as Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month in New Jersey to raise public awareness and encourage research, with annual gubernatorial proclamations and no funding mandates.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee

#commemoratio #health

AJR 232 — Summary

AJR 232 is a joint resolution in New Jersey that designates July of each year as “Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month.” The measure is symbolic and aims to raise public awareness and encourage research, rather than to impose new requirements or funding.

Purpose and authority

Designates July each year as “Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month.”

Requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing July as Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month and to call on public officials and residents to observe appropriate activities.

Takes effect immediately (no funding or regulatory mandates attached).

Key provisions

Section 1: Official designation of July as Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month to increase awareness and promote research into diagnostics and treatments.

Section 2: Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the month and encourage observance by public officials and citizens.

Section 3: Immediate effect.

Background and rationale (as described in the bill)

The introduced version includes extensive “Whereas” statements outlining the scope and impact of uterine fibroids:
- Prevalence: Estimates suggest 20–50% of women of reproductive age have fibroids; up to 77% may develop fibroids before menopause.
- National burden: In the U.S., about 26 million women aged 15–50 have fibroids, with roughly 15 million experiencing symptoms.
- Symptoms and impact: Heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, fatigue, pain, urinary and bowel symptoms, infertility, and pregnancy complications; these can significantly reduce quality of life.
- Delayed diagnosis: On average, 3.6 years before seeking treatment; more than 40% see two or more providers before diagnosis.
- Racial disparities: Higher prevalence and more severe symptoms among people of color; estimates indicate >80% of Black women and ~70% of White women may develop fibroids by menopause; Black patients face higher hospitalization and surgical rates.
- Evidence gaps: AHRQ notes a lack of high-quality evidence for most interventions; need for minimally invasive, fertility-friendly therapies, biomarkers, imaging, and risk-based decision tools.
- Medical practices: Many treatments regulate menstruation or prevent pregnancy; hysterectomy remains a common outcome for symptomatic fibroids.
- State context: Limited state-level data, and mention of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School offering Uterine Fibroid Embolization as a minimally invasive option.

Who is affected

Residents of New Jersey with uterine fibroids or at risk of fibroids.

Public health officials and clinicians who may incorporate awareness into practice and patient education.

Stakeholders in women’s health, including researchers, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups.

The designation does not impose new mandates or funding; its impact is primarily awareness, education, and encouragement of further research.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on November 17, 2025.

Referred to the Assembly Committee on Community Development and Women’s Affairs.

No further action detailed in the provided text; as a joint resolution, it would not change statutory law but would express the Legislature’s position and request gubernatorial action.

Next steps

If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee consideration, potential floor votes, and, if enacted, a gubernatorial proclamation each July.