UPDATE: Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o made a powerful statement on Capitol Hill today, joining members of the Congressional Black Caucus to demand immediate action on uterine fibroids, a serious health issue that disproportionately impacts Black women.
During a roundtable discussion, Nyong’o emphasized the urgent need for increased research and federal funding for this condition, which nearly 80% of Black women will face by age 50, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “It affects so many women—Black, white, Latino,” she stated passionately. “We are affected.”
Nyong’o was joined by Congresswomen Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), who echoed her calls for greater awareness and support. Clarke described the situation as a “crisis of medical misinformation, confusion, and self-doubt,” highlighting the critical need for better support for patients and healthcare providers.
Brown added an emotional touch, revealing that the issue is deeply personal for many women, including herself. “When you look across the spectrum of women, it is personal,” she said, urging for bipartisan support to pass legislation aimed at increasing fibroid research and awareness.
Both lawmakers are actively working to introduce new legislation that would enhance research initiatives and funding related to uterine fibroids, a condition that has been largely overlooked. Nyong’o’s presence has injected new life into this important issue, galvanizing advocates who hope this momentum will lead to significant changes for millions of women affected by fibroids.
As the discussion unfolds, the call for action resonates louder than ever. Advocates are hopeful that with Hollywood’s backing and legislative support, the plight of women suffering from uterine fibroids will finally receive the attention it deserves.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent issue develops.