Supporting the designation of April as Parkinsons Awareness Month.

Supporting the designation of April as Parkinsons Awareness Month Whereas Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons 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, Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons disease does not exist, and the rate of misdiagnosis for the disease is high; Whereas the symptoms of Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons disease does not exist; Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinsons 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 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.

Summary: Expresses support for: (1) the designation of April as Parkinson's Awareness Month, and (2) research to develop more effective treatments and to ultimately find a cure for Parkinson's disease. 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 and their families.