ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: designating April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Months.
Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease and is the second-most-common neurodegenerative disease in the United States; and
Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is estimated to affect approximately one million people in the United States, and the prevalence will rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and
Whereas, 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year in the United States; and
Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
Whereas, it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is at least $52 billion annually, including direct costs, such as treatment, and indirect costs, such as lost income; and
Whereas, research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause of the disease is still unknown; and
Whereas, there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, and there is presently no cure or drug that slows or halts the progression of the disease; and
Whereas, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and can include tremors; slowness of movement; rigidity; cognitive impairment; dementia; mood disorders; difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking; and a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; and
Whereas, volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson’s disease and their families; and
Whereas, increased research, education, and community support services, such as those provided by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, Wisconsin Parkinson Association, and other organizations, are needed to find more effective treatments and to provide access to quality care to those living with the disease today; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That April 2025 and April 2026 are hereby designated Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Months in Wisconsin.
Representative Robin J. Vos
Speaker of the Assembly
Senator Mary Felzkowski
President of the Senate
Cyrus Anderson
Senate Chief Clerk
