Pharr Proclaims June 2024 as “Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month”

The Pharr City Commission has approved a proclamation declaring June 2024 as “Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month.” This important initiative aims to acknowledge and address the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects approximately 7 million people across the United States, including 459,300 individuals in Texas alone.

The Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a significant public health issue, ranking as the sixth leading cause of death nationally and the fifth among the elderly. The societal costs are immense, with direct care expenses valued at $347 billion annually. In Texas, 1.1 million caregivers provide an estimated 1.8 billion hours of unpaid care each year, contributing an economic value of $25.8 billion.

Proclamation Presentation

The proclamation was presented to Maxine P. Vieyra, Program Manager of the Alzheimer’s Association. During the presentation, Vieyra highlighted the importance of brain health and encouraged the community to adopt healthier lifestyles. “This year we are encouraging everyone to take care of their brain health by building healthy habits such as exercising, not smoking, and changing their diets to help improve brain function,” announced Vieyra.

Community Involvement

Vieyra expressed gratitude to the City of Pharr for their support in raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. “We are thankful to the City of Pharr for supporting this proclamation and helping us spread awareness throughout the month and we hope you will also join us in wearing purple to highlight this important cause,” she added.

Encouragement and Support

The city recognizes the invaluable efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association in raising funds and awareness to combat this disease. Pharr encourages all residents to support initiatives aimed at enhancing care and improving the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The City of Pharr invites everyone to participate in Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month by wearing purple and engaging in activities that promote brain health. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.