APDA Presses Secretary Kennedy to Launch the National Parkinson’s Project Alongside Leading Parkinson’s Organizations
This week, the American Parkinson Disease Association’s (APDA) Department of Public Policy & Advocacyis intensifying efforts to push the federal government to move forward—without further delay—on the National Parkinson’s Project (NPP).
Together with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Parkinson’s Foundation, APDA is urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to immediately accelerate implementation of the National Parkinson’s Project, beginning with seating the long-overdue Advisory Council. In parallel, APDA has launched a national grassroots call to action calling on people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners to contact their members of Congress and press HHS to take action.
In 2024, Congress passed the National Plan to End Parkinson’s with overwhelming bipartisan support—signaling a clear and unified mandate to confront this growing public health crisis. Yet critical implementation steps have stalled. The NPP Advisory Council has not been seated, and the Project missed its January 2 deadline to deliver its first required Report to Congress.
The National Parkinson’s Project represents the first-ever comprehensive federal effort dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing Parkinson’s disease. Once fully implemented, this initiative will:
- Create and maintain a country-wide strategy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure Parkinson’s disease.
- Coordinate Parkinson’s research and services across federal agencies.
- Encourage the development of safe and effective treatments and improve early diagnosis of the disease.
- Review the impact of the disease on the physical, mental, and social health of Parkinson’s caregivers and families.
Take Action Now:
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, ask to be connected directly to your members of Congress, and ask them to press HHS to immediately seat the National Parkinson’s Project Advisory Council so that the Council can begin its critical work
APDA is concerned that the implementation of this landmark law has fallen behind federally mandated timelines. Which is why we are urging HHS to take immediate action to seat the Advisory Council and prioritize full implementation of the National Parkinson’s Project—including establishing internal staffing, clear timelines, and robust interagency coordination—to ensure that reporting and planning requirements are met and that the Parkinson’s community sees the progress Congress intended.
We will continue to keep you updated, and we encourage you to take part by raising your voice and reaching out to your local officials about this very important issue.
There is lots more to come from APDA and our Department of Publicy Policy & Advocacy. If you are interested in learning more about PD advocacy news and ways you can get involved, please fill out this simple form so we can keep you posted.