2024 House Resolution 249

Whereas, Huntington’s disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disease affecting 41,000 Americans while another 200,000 are genetically at risk of inheriting the expanded gene responsible for causing the disease; and

Whereas, Each child of a parent with Huntington’s disease has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the Huntington’s disease gene; and

Whereas, Huntington’s disease typically occurs in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 50, though onset has been known to occur in children as young as 2 years of age; and

Whereas, The average lifespan after onset of Huntington’s disease is 10-20 years, and the younger the age of onset, the more rapid the progression of the disease, resulting in children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely living to adulthood; and

Whereas, Since the discovery of the gene that causes Huntington’s disease in 1993, the pace of HD research has accelerated. Scientists across the nation are conducting important research into Huntington’s Disease, which at present has no effective treatment or cure; and

Whereas, It is critical to the success of research and support services to raise awareness in the general public and the medical community about Huntington’s disease; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2024 as Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We encourage all citizens to join in the observance.