Parkinson's Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

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, 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 and indirect costs, including treatment, social security payments and lost income, to patients and family members; and

WHEREAS, research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown; and

WHEREAS, there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or halt 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 and rigidity; difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking; cognitive impairment and dementia; mood disorders; and a variety of other non-motor 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;

WHEREAS, increased research, education, and community support services such as those provided by the Parkinson’s Foundation 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, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2023, as PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations