California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

House ResolutionNo. 45


Introduced by Assembly Member Dababneh

March 30, 2016


House Resolution No. 45—Relative to Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.

P1    1WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive,
2neurological disease and is the second most common
3neurodegenerative disease in the United States; and

4WHEREAS, There is inadequate data on the incidence and
5prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, but it currently is estimated to
6affect 500,000 to 1,500,000 people in the United States and the
7prevalence will more than double by 2040; and

8WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease is the 14th leading cause of
9death in the United States, according to the federal Centers for
10Disease Control and Prevention; and

11WHEREAS, It is estimated that the economic burden of
12Parkinson’s disease is at least $14.4 billion annually, including
13indirect costs to patients and family members of $6.3 billion; and

14WHEREAS, Research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s disease
15is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the
16exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown; and

17WHEREAS, There is no objective test or biomarker for
18Parkinson’s disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or halt
19the progression of the disease; and

20WHEREAS, The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from
21person to person and can include tremors, slowness of movement
22and rigidity, cognitive impairment and dementia, mood disorders,
P2    1difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, and
2a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; and

3WHEREAS, Volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical
4professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons
5living with Parkinson’s disease and their families; and

6WHEREAS, Increased research, education, and community
7support services are needed to find more effective treatments and
8to provide access to quality care to those living with the disease
9today; now, therefore, be it

10Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
11Assembly proclaims the month of April 2016 as Parkinson’s
12Disease Awareness Month in California and urges all citizens to
13support the search for a cure and to assist those individuals and
14families who deal with this disabling disease on a daily basis; and
15be it further

16Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
17of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.



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