SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 73

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 14, 2021

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 73.

      This joint resolution designates March of each year as “Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month” and provides that the Governor may issue an annual proclamation recognizing the month and calling on public officials and residents of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

      Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that affect both the automatic nervous system and movement.  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, MSA may affect between 15,000 and 50,000 Americans, including men and women of all races.  Symptoms, including problems with heart rate, progressive loss of motor function and difficulties with balance, coordination, gait, bladder and bowel control, speech, swallowing, and breathing advance rapidly over the course of five to 10 years once symptoms initially appear.  Although there are medications that treat MSA symptoms, researchers continue to search for medications with fewer side effects as well as methods to better manage the disease until a cure is found.