HR 164 — A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   1220

                    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 164
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY GAYDOS, WAXMAN, REICHARD, PUGH, VENKAT, McNEILL,
        NEILSON, GUZMAN, STEELE, ZIMMERMAN, RIVERA AND CONKLIN,
        APRIL 1, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 1, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Parkinson's Disease
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is the second most common
 4   progressive neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's
 5   disease; and
 6      WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect
 7   approximately 1 million people in the United States and the
 8   prevalence will rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and
 9      WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
10   Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of
11   death in the United States; and
12      WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
13   disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
14   confinement to a wheelchair or bed prior to death; and
15      WHEREAS, The symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person
16   to person and can include asymmetric tremors, slowness of
17   movement and rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing,
 1   chewing and speaking, cognitive impairment and dementia, mood
 2   disorders and a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; and
 3         WHEREAS, It is estimated that the economic burden of
 4   Parkinson's disease is $52 billion annually to patients and
 5   family members, including direct and indirect costs, treatment,
 6   Social Security payments and lost income; and
 7         WHEREAS, While research suggests the cause of Parkinson's
 8   disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors,
 9   the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown;
10   and
11         WHEREAS, There is no objective test or biomarker for
12   Parkinson's disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or
13   halt the progression of the disease; and
14         WHEREAS, The National Parkinson's Foundation and the Michael
15   J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, along with many
16   volunteers, researchers, caregivers and medical professionals,
17   are working to improve the quality of life of individuals living
18   with Parkinson's disease and their families and to further
19   promote Parkinson's disease awareness, education, knowledge,
20   treatment and research; and
21         WHEREAS, Further efforts in research, testing and education
22   are crucial in order to advance toward improved early detection
23   methods, the discovery of more effective treatments to stop the
24   progression of Parkinson's disease and, ultimately, to find a
25   cure for this devastating disease; therefore be it
26         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
27   month of April 2025 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in
28   Pennsylvania; and be it further
29         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
30   residents to support the search for a cure and assist those

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1   individuals and families who deal with this debilitating
2   disease.




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