Orphan Diseases
Orphan diseases, also known as rare diseases, are medical conditions that affect a small percentage of the population. These diseases often have limited treatment options and may not receive significant research funding due to their rarity. In the United States, a disease is considered orphan if it affects fewer than 200,000 people.
Many orphan diseases are genetic, meaning they are caused by mutations in genes. Examples include Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington's Disease. Due to their low prevalence, patients with orphan diseases may face challenges in finding specialists and accessing appropriate care, highlighting the need for increased awareness and research.