U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  1. Home
  2. For Industry
  3. Medical products for rare diseases and conditions
  4. Rare Disease Day 2019
  1. Medical products for rare diseases and conditions

Rare Disease Day 2019

Tate disease day

FDA Recognizes Rare Disease Day

On February 28, 2019, FDA joins the global observance of Rare Disease Day, which was created to raise awareness about the 7,000 known rare diseases, many of which have no treatment. Although each rare disease affects fewer than 200,000 Americans, in total, these illnesses affect an estimated 30 million people in the United States. This year’s Rare Disease Day theme is Bridging Health and Social Care in recognition that rare diseases deeply impact patients, caregivers and their families.

FDA's Rare Disease Day Activities

FDA Voices: View the blog post, 'FDA is Working to Bridge Gaps and Meet Needs for Rare Disease Product Development' by Dr.Janet Maynard from the Office of Orphan Products and Development and Andrea-Furia Helms from the Patient Affairs Staff. 

FDA Public Meeting: On Rare Disease Day, FDA announced a public meeting to be held Monday, April 29, 2019. This meeting will obtain patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the impacts of rare diseases on daily life and to assess their common experiences that may help the agency and medical product developers further understand and advance the development of treatments for rare diseases, potentially through the creation of novel endpoints or trial designs that focus on commonalities across a variety of rare disease. View links below for more information and to sign up!

Beyond the Diagnosis Art Exhibit: FDA is hosting the Beyond the Diagnosis Art Exhibit to showcase portraits of diverse children with rare diseases. This exhibit has traveled to medical schools, research institutes and hospitals around the globe to encourage the medical community to look "beyond the diagnoses" of patients. FDA employees may find the exhibit at White Oak Campus on the rear wall of Building 32 by the badging office from Wednesday, February 13 - Friday, March 29, 2019. Due to campus security restrictions, access to this exhibit is limited to FDA employees and scheduled visitors.

  • Digitally view many of the displayed portraits at FDA

FDA Discusses Rare Disease Natural History Studies: FDA will be joining NIH and others on February 28, 2019 to exchange the latest rare disease information to advance research and therapeutic efforts.

For Rare Disease Day questions, email orphan@fda.hhs.gov

 

 

 
Back to Top