as well as needless suffering and expense. (9) The economic impact of ME/CFS is high. The annual cost in the United States for ME/CFS is estimated to be between $17,000,000,000 and $24,000,000,000 in medical expenditures and lost productivity. The overwhelming majority of people with ME/CFS are unable to work. (10) ME/CFS symptoms are consistent with other neuroimmune diseases, such as Gulf War Illness, and are recognized as a serious and disabling issue for military veterans, particularly those who have been deployed in war zones and experience foreign toxic or viral exposure. (11) ME/CFS affects individuals of every age, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic group, including children. Research shows that ME/CFS is two to four times more likely to occur in women than men. (12) The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health unanimously accepted the recent report of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council Working Group for ME/CFS which identifies research gaps and opportunities ready for investment. 3. Research on COVID–19 subsets and post-viral chronic neuroimmune diseases Subpart 7 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 285g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 452H. Research on COVID–19 subsets and post-viral chronic neuroimmune diseases (a) In general The Director of NIH, in coordination with or acting through the Director of the Institute, shall conduct and support research and related activities concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors of post-viral chronic neuroimmune diseases, specifically myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (in this section referred to as ME/CFS ), COVID–19 patients exhibiting ME/CFS symptoms, and survivors of COVID–19 with ME/CFS. Such research shall attempt to better understand the underlying cause or causes of ME/CFS to reduce the rate of onset of ME/CFS in COVID–19 survivors or identify effective treatments and improve outcomes for