Expresses support for designating April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month to raise awareness, promote research, and support those affected by the disease.
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO-1
This bill expresses support for designating April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month to raise awareness, promote research, and support individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease. It acknowledges the growing impact of the disease, the need for increased research and support, and commends the efforts of those working to improve the lives of individuals with Parkinson's.
House Resolution Backs April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month, Spotlighting Disease Impact
This resolution throws the House of Representatives' official support behind designating April 2025 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month." It's a formal acknowledgment aimed at shining a brighter light on a disease that, according to the resolution text, affects over a million people in the U.S., with nearly 90,000 new diagnoses popping up each year. The core purpose here is to boost public understanding and rally support for those impacted by Parkinson's.
Underscoring the Urgency
The resolution doesn't just offer symbolic support; it lays out some stark figures to explain why this awareness is needed. It highlights Parkinson's as the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease globally and the second most common. Citing the CDC, it notes Parkinson's is the 15th leading cause of death in the U.S. The text also points to projections that the number of affected individuals could nearly double by 2037, potentially costing the country upwards of $80 billion annually. It paints a picture of the disease's wide-ranging symptoms – from tremors and movement issues to cognitive challenges and depression – emphasizing the heavy toll not just on patients, but also on their families and caregivers.
A Call for Action and Recognition
Beyond the designation, the resolution explicitly backs the broader goals associated with Parkinson's Awareness Month. This includes pushing for more research to improve treatments and ultimately find a cure. It also calls for strengthening education and community support systems to help individuals living with Parkinson's maintain their quality of life and dignity. Finally, the resolution gives a nod to the patients participating in clinical trials and commends the ongoing efforts of researchers, volunteers, and organizations working on the front lines against the disease.