Proclaiming April of 2026, to Be "Parkinson's Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s disease; and

WHEREAS, More than one million people in the United States are currently living with Parkinson's Disease. Every six minutes, there is a new Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, and each year there are nearly 90,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease which represents a 50 percent increase from previous years. In Rhode Island, one to two thousand people suffer from Parkinson's Disease; and

WHEREAS, Approximately five to ten percent of Parkinson's Disease diagnoses occur before the age of 50, with the onset of Parkinson's Disease commonly occurring at the age of and older; and

WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson’s results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown and there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose the disease; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary from person to person and can include tremors, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, constipation, skin problems, cognitive problems, dementia, and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety; and

WHEREAS, Currently there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s Disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical needs of patients; and

WHEREAS, Increased efforts and awareness are desperately needed to help expedite research efforts for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as creating enhanced programs and services to help those impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to improve their quality of life until a cure is found; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April of 2026, to be "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Rhode Island Chapter.