LM April 2024

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, so designated because it’s the birth month of James Parkinson, who first identified the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease more than 200 years ago. However, while scientists today believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are involved, the cause of the disease remains largely unknown. What can you do about this disease? As leaders, you can share key information and resources to promote health awareness among your teachers and staff. You can create a healthier, more informed workforce by sharing this article with them, and they can share onward with their families. Why is awareness about Parkinson’s disease so important? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 10 million people worldwide are affected by the disease. Of that number: • One million people in the U.S. are currently living with Parkinson’s disease. • The number of U.S. cases is projected to increase to 1.2 million by 2030. • Approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year in the U.S. Your Health Matters

What You Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease From Health Alliance™

• An estimated 4% of people with Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed before age 50. • In Illinois, 37,570 people are living with Parkinson’s disease. What is Parkinson’s disease, and what are its symptoms? Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects the dopamine-producing neurons in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years and differ from one person to another. People with Parkinson’s disease may experience: • Tremors, generally at rest and described as a pill-rolling tremor in the hands, with the thumb and index fingers moving simultaneously and rubbing against each other; other forms of tremor are also possible. • Slowness and scarcity of movement (called bradykinesia and hypokinesia). • Limb stiffness (rigidity). • Gait and balance problems (postural instability). In addition to movement-related (or motor) symptoms, some Parkinson’s symptoms may be unrelated to movement. These nonmotor symptoms often impact people with Parkinson’s

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To learn how Health Alliance can save your district money, contact your ISEBC agent:

Clemens and Associates, Inc.: tcockburn@clemensins.com (Egyptian, Shawnee, Kaskaskia, Southwestern and Wabash Valley)

American Central Insurance Services: jeremy@americancentralins.com (Abe Lincoln, Central Illinois Valley,

J. Krug: lsimios@jkrug.com

James Unland & Company, Inc.: bshock@unland.com (Western (Knox County) and Central Illinois Valley (Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties)

(Blackhawk, Kishwaukee (Boone, DeKalb and Winnebago counties), Northwest and Starved Rock)

Corn Belt, Illini, Kaskaskia, Two Rivers and Western)

*Health Alliance Medical Plans received the highest score in the Illinois/Indiana Region in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Satisfaction Study of members’ satisfaction with their commercial health plan experience. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

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LM April 2024