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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 408 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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;
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 cure for the disease require 
        increased education and research: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of April as ``Parkinson's 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``Parkinson's 
        Awareness Month'';
            (3) continues to support research to develop more effective 
        treatments for Parkinson's disease and to ultimately find a 
        cure for the disease; and
            (4) commends the dedication of State, local, regional, and 
        national organizations, volunteers, researchers, and millions 
        of individuals in the United States working to improve the 
        quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease and 
        the families of such individuals.
                                 <all>
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