Brazil Approves National Policy for Lipedema Treatment in SUS
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approves a landmark law creating a national policy to improve diagnosis, treatment, and awareness for lipedema within the public health system.
- • The Chamber of Deputies approved Project Law 5582/23 for lipedema treatment and awareness in SUS.
- • The law emphasizes improved diagnosis, training for healthcare workers, and public education campaigns.
- • It designates June as the national awareness month, 'Junho Roxo', for lipedema.
- • The policy consolidates multiple bills and excludes direct executive administrative obligations.
Key details
On January 19, 2026, the Health Commission of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved Project Law 5582/23, establishing a National Policy for the Attention to People with Lipedema within the Unified Health System (SUS). The law aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness of lipedema—a chronic, inflammatory, and progressive condition marked by disproportionate fat accumulation primarily affecting women's legs and arms. Often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, lipedema worsens during hormonal changes and significantly impacts quality of life.
Sponsored by Federal Deputy Rogéria Santos (Republicanos-BA), the approved proposal consolidates six previous bills on the topic but excludes direct administrative duties for the Executive Power to respect legislative norms. Its guidelines include creating clinical protocols, training healthcare professionals, raising public and academic awareness, and conducting educational campaigns targeting women and affected groups.
Additionally, the law designates June as “Junho Roxo,” the national awareness month for lipedema, fostering early diagnosis and educational activities. The legislation is pending further review by the Finance and Taxation and the Constitution and Justice committees before being voted on by the full Chamber and the Senate. This milestone marks a significant advancement in Brazil's public health response to lipedema by integrating scientific research encouragement and comprehensive patient care management into SUS.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
