III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 408 

Supporting the designation of April as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 1, 2014 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. JOHANNS, and Mr. 

ISAKSON) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of April as ‘‘Parkinson’s 

Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, and 

neurological disease and is the second most common 

neurodegenerative disease in the United States; 

Whereas there is inadequate data on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, but the disease affects an 

estimated 500,000 to 1,500,000 individuals in the United 

States and the prevalence of such disease is estimated to 

more than double by 2040; 

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 the age-adjusted death 

rate for individuals with Parkinson’s disease increased 

2.9 percent from 2010 to 2011; 


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•SRES 408 ATS 

Whereas every day, Parkinson’s disease greatly impacts millions of individuals in the United States who are caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals with 

Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas the economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is an estimated $14,400,000,000 each year, including indirect 

costs to patients and family members of $6,300,000,000 

each year; 

Whereas although research suggests that the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and the exact progression 

of the disease remain unknown; 

Whereas an objective test or biomarker for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease does not exist, and the rate of misdiagnosis for the disease is high; 

Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood 

disorders (such as depression and anxiety), constipation, 

skin complications, and sleep difficulties; 

Whereas a cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease does not exist; 

Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson’s 

disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 

dose-limiting side effects, and such medications ultimately lose effectiveness, leaving the patient unable to 

move, speak, or swallow; and 

Whereas developing more effective treatments for Parkinson’s 

disease with fewer side effects and ultimately finding a 


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•SRES 408 ATS 

cure for the disease require increased education and research: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of April as ‘‘Par3 kinson’s Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘Parkin5 son’s Awareness Month’’; 

6 (3) continues to support research to develop 

7 more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease 

8 and to ultimately find a cure for the disease; and 

9 (4) commends the dedication of State, local, re10 gional, and national organizations, volunteers, re11 searchers, and millions of individuals in the United 

12 States working to improve the quality of life for in13 dividuals with Parkinson’s disease and the families 

14 of such individuals. 

Æ 


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