PRINTER'S NO. 3098
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
432
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY GAYDOS, McNEILL, CONKLIN, KINSEY, HARKINS,
MARCELL, ZIMMERMAN, PICKETT, NEILSON AND MOUL, MAY 14, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 14, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2024 as "Parkinson's Disease
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is the second most common
progressive neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's
disease; and
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect
approximately 1 million people in the United States and the
prevalence will rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of
death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
confinement to a wheelchair or bed prior to death; and
WHEREAS, The symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person
to person and can include asymmetric tremors, slowness of
movement and rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing,
chewing and speaking, cognitive impairment and dementia, mood
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disorders and a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that the economic burden of
Parkinson's disease is $52 billion annually to patients and
family members, including direct and indirect costs, treatment,
Social Security payments and lost income; and
WHEREAS, While research suggests the cause of Parkinson's
disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors,
the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown;
and
WHEREAS, There is no objective test or biomarker for
Parkinson's disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or
halt the progression of the disease; and
WHEREAS, The National Parkinson's Foundation and the Michael
J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, along with many
volunteers, researchers, caregivers and medical professionals,
are working to improve the quality of life of individuals living
with Parkinson's disease and their families and to further
promote Parkinson's disease awareness, education, knowledge,
treatment and research; and
WHEREAS, Further efforts in research, testing and education
are crucial in order to advance toward improved early detection
methods, the discovery of more effective treatments to stop the
progression of Parkinson's disease and, ultimately, to find a
cure for this devastating disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of April 2024 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
residents to support the search for a cure and assist those
individuals and families who deal with this debilitating
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disease.
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