Governor Proclaims Parkinson's Awareness Month

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

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 is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030; as of March 16, 2025, global estimates suggest that 25.2 million people will be living with Parkinson's disease worldwide, an 11.2 percent increase from 2021, largely due to population aging; and

Whereas, 90,000 new people are diagnosed each year in the United States with Parkinson’s disease; complications related to Parkinson’s disease are the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

Whereas, there are approximately 36,400 people living with Parkinson’s disease in the Carolinas, and the estimated economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is at least $52 billion annually in the United States including direct and indirect costs, treatment, 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 for Parkinson’s disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of the disease; 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; 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, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2025, as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this eighth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.