Governor Stein Proclaims Parkinson's Awareness Month and World Parkinson's Day

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

And

World Parkinson’s Day 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disease that is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States; Parkinson’s disease is estimated to affect approximately 1 million people in the United States; and the prevalence is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and

Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease with 90,000 new people diagnosed each year in the United States; and Parkinson’s disease is the 13th-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

Whereas, the fastest-growing subset of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses is in people under the age of 50, known as young- or early-onset Parkinson’s disease; research shows that a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides like paraquat and certain metals, are tied to Parkinson’s disease – but more research is needed to uncover the exact cause and progression of the disease; and

Whereas, no objective test or biomarker is known for Parkinson’s disease, and no cure or drug exists 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; and 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 2026 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month” and April 11, 2026, as “World Parkinson’s Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

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 seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.