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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive |
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neurological disease and the second most common neurodegenerative |
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condition in the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vary from |
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person to person and may include slowness of movement, rigidity, |
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gait and balance difficulties, and tremors; additionally, patients |
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may develop speech and swallowing disturbances, cognitive |
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impairment, dementia, mood disorders, and a range of other |
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symptoms; and |
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WHEREAS, While the exact cause of the condition in most |
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individuals is unknown, research suggests a combination of genetic |
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and environmental factors contributes to the development of |
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Parkinson's disease; there is no known cure and no drug that is |
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capable of slowing or halting the progression of the disease, and |
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available treatments are limited in their ability to address |
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patients' medical needs and to remain effective over time; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and |
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Prevention, complications of Parkinson's disease are the 14th |
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leading cause of death in the United States; beyond the toll on |
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those who suffer from the disease, its impact is felt by millions of |
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caregivers, family members, and friends who form the support |
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systems of people living with Parkinson's; and |
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WHEREAS, It is estimated that one million people in the U.S. |
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are living with Parkinson's, and the number of Americans affected |
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by the disease is expected to increase to 1.2 million by 2030; a |
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study conducted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2019 found that |
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the annual economic impact of Parkinson's disease totals nearly $52 |
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billion in the U.S.; and |
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WHEREAS, Researchers and medical professionals, along with |
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caregivers and volunteers, are united in the fight against |
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Parkinson's disease and the search for a cure; interventions such |
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as physical and speech therapy are providing hope to people |
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affected by Parkinson's disease, but increased research, |
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education, and community support services are needed to find more |
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effective treatments and to ensure access to better care for |
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Parkinson's patients; and |
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WHEREAS, The observance of Parkinson's Awareness Month is a |
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time to renew our focus on improving the quality of life for |
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patients suffering from this debilitating disease, and it is indeed |
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fitting to recognize this worthwhile cause; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness |
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Month and commend all those who are working in behalf of Texans |
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living with Parkinson's disease. |