2023 -- H 6247
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2023, TO BE “PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH ” IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Nardone, Place,
Fenton-Fung, Ajello, Tanzi, Rea, and J. Lombardi
Date Introduced: April 04, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the 1
second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s 2
disease; and 3
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parkinson’s is 4
the 14th leading cause of death in the United States; and 5
WHEREAS, Approximately one million people in the United States are currently living 6
with Parkinson's Disease. Every six minutes there is a new Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, every 7
day 240 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and each year there are 90,000 new 8
diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease. There are 3,100 people suffering from Parkinson's Disease 9
living in Rhode Island; and 10
WHEREAS, Approximately ten percent of Parkinson's Disease diagnoses occur before 11
the age of 50, with the onset of Parkinson's Disease commonly occurring between the ages of 55 12
and 65; and 13
WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson’s results from a combination of 14
genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown 15
and there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose the disease; and 16
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary from person to person and can 17
include tremors, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, 18
constipation, skin problems, cognitive problems, dementia, and mood disorders such as 19
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depression and anxiety; and 1
WHEREAS, Currently there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of 2
Parkinson’s Disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical 3
needs of patients; and 4
WHEREAS, Increased efforts and awareness are desperately needed to help expedite 5
research efforts for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as creating enhanced 6
programs and services to help those impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to improve their quality of 7
life until a cure is found; now, therefore be it 8
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 9
proclaims April of 2023, to be "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and 10
be it further 11
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 12
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 13
Rhode Island Chapter. 14
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