SECTION 1 : PROGRESS
THE MICHAEL J . FOX FOUNDATION 2022 IN REVIEW
Ending Environmental Links to Parkinson ’ s
Risk of Parkinson ’ s is known to be tied to certain environmental exposures . MJFF continues pushing significant progress in improving our understanding of environmental risks and mitigating their effects . Our Foundation — with many partners , including supporters like you — is leading efforts to enact policy in favor of greater federal and local funding for Parkinson ’ s research , bans and limits on toxicants and relief for those who have experienced toxic exposures .
Promises to Address Comprehensive Toxics ( PACT ) Act of 2022 In August , President Joe Biden signed into law the PACT Act , which included a provision around the Lejeune Justice Act that may be relevant to military veterans living with Parkinson ’ s . It allows veterans , former reservists and National Guard members to seek compensation from the U . S . government for water contamination experienced while serving at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina . Parkinson ’ s has been linked to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune .
Data Collected in State Registries Patient registries gather information on individual cases of Parkinson ’ s disease . The data collected can help researchers identify patterns and trends , including around exposure to occupational and environmental toxins . This information could help scientists understand disease , legislators support toxin limits and public health offices allocate resources . With assistance from MJFF and advocates , legislatures in West Virginia , South Carolina and Maryland recently passed bills establishing statewide Parkinson ’ s registries .
Environmental Contributors to PD Risk Workshop In late September , MJFF coordinated a meeting of leading academics , nonprofit leaders and government officials to build consensus around the most important environmental risk factors for Parkinson ’ s and strategize to address them moving forward . The meeting covered topics ranging from emerging technologies in risk factor research to pre-clinical strategies for evaluating environmental risk .
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