By Bob Katzen

Another bill heard by the Committee on Public Health would establish a 3-year pilot program to evaluate the potential of including the screening for Celiac disease by health care providers when conducting screenings for cholesterol and lipids for 12-year-olds.

“Celiac disease is significantly underdiagnosed in children, often because symptoms are atypical, or not immediately recognized,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “By integrating screening for celiac disease into an existing, routine health screening at age 12, this pilot program would create a critical opportunity to identify children with Celiac disease earlier, preventing years of avoidable health consequences and ensuring families are connected to evidence-based care, support and guidance.”