Logo for Center for Lyme Action featuring a green circle with a tick silhouette and star border.

Center for Lyme Action is a 501c4 dedicated to growing federal funding for Lyme disease in an effort to find a cure — especially for Lyme patients with persistent, debilitating symptoms. Their values are: bi-partisan, inclusive, humane, and scientific.  And they’re serious about them.

Lyme disease is a complex and sometimes chronic disease that is caused by an infection by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria from a tick bite. More than 400,000 people in the United States get Lyme disease every year, a rate of infection that is 4 times the number of cases in 1991.  And a working diagnostic and therapy for chronic Lyme are not available even with this growing public health threat.   

“Center for Lyme Action sponsors educational sessions for the executive and legislative branches of the US federal government. We work to bring more attention to Lyme disease, the human suffering, and the need for better diagnostics and treatments. We then work to advocate for increases in federal funding for preventing and battling Lyme.”

  • Bar graph showing annual reported cases of Lyme disease from 1991 to 2019, with CDC estimates from 1991 to 2018. The graph indicates an increase in cases over time, with a notable rise around 2007. The data includes CDC estimated total cases from state reporting in green and insurance data estimates in gray.

    Lyme Cases Increasing

    476,000 estimated cases of Lyme disease reported in 2019 by the CDC.  Reported total cases in 2019 are nearly 5 times the number reported in 1991.

  • Bar chart showing research budget per US patient by NIH for vector-borne diseases in 2022. Malaria funding is approximately $108,396, West Nile about $20,070, and Lyme disease around $106. West Nile research funded at 190 times the Lyme disease funding.

    Low Per Patient Funding

    Per patient federal funding for Lyme disease is incredibly low at $106 per patient. Less common diseases such as West Nile has 190 times and Malaria has 1000 times the amount of per patient funding.

  • Split image showing a scientist with test tubes on the left and a hand holding assorted pills and capsules on the right.

    No Working Diagnostic or Therapy

    Current diagnostics don’t work – at best 38% accurate.  Current treatments are insufficient for chronic patients and work for approximately 85% of acute patients.