Celiac Disease: By The Numbers

• 1 in 133 Americans have celiac.
• 2.96 million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.
• 97% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
• 9 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed with celiac.
• 17% of celiac patients have an immediate family member who also suffers from celiac.
• 0 medical or pharmaceutical cures currently exist for celiac, underscoring the need for further research in the field.
• A 100% gluten-free diet—a complex, time-consuming and often expensive undertaking—is the only existing treatment for celiac today.
• A positive attitude, 100% of the time helps celiacs create a gluten-free lifestyle for themselves and their affected family members.
• 500,000 new celiac diagnoses are expected to occur in the next 5 years -- thanks to efforts to raise public awareness of celiac.
• $5,000-$12,000 is the average cost of misdiagnosis (per person, per year) of celiac, not including lost work time.

© 2004.  National Foundation for Celiac Awareness • P. O. Box 544 • Ambler, PA 19002 • www.CeliacCentral.org • United Way  Agency Donor Choice Number 15403.
All information current as of 1/16/06<. NFCA materials and information are not exhaustive, nor should they be relied upon to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual.  These materials should not be used in place of a visit or consultation with one's physician or healthcare provider.