
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was hospitalized on Wednesday and is under observation for a neurodegenerative condition, his organization, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, said in a statement.
Jackson, 84, has been managing the condition, called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), for over a decade, according to the organization he founded.
“He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed,” the organization said. “The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”
The disorder damages certain areas of the brain and affects a person’s walking, swallowing, balance and eye movements, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition worsens over time and can lead to dangerous complications, including trouble swallowing and pneumonia.
The disease typically affects people over the age of 60, and symptoms can mimic those of Parkinson’s.
There is no cure for the disease, but treatment options to help with symptoms include physical and occupational therapy, Botox, antidepressants, eyeglasses with prism or bifocal lenses, and Parkinson’s disease medications.
In a 2017 statement following news of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Jackson said that his family began noticing symptoms three years prior and that his father also had the disease.
Jackson became a civil rights icon in the 1960s, participating in marches alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and playing a pivotal role in movements for equality and justice. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Bill Clinton in August 2000.
Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984. It merged with Operation PUSH in September 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Why this Iranian island looks like Mars after it rains - 2
Major railway disruptions persist as Germany braces for more snow - 3
New trailer for 'Bridgerton' Season 4 teases Benedict's love story: Watch it here - 4
Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy - 5
These 2 companies are teaming up to offer insurance for space debris strikes on satellites
ISS astronaut snaps stunning nighttime photo of Florida and Cuba | Space photo of the day for Dec. 29, 2025
The moon and sun figure big in the new year's lineup of cosmic wonders
Figure out How to Augment Eco-friendliness in Your Volvo XC40
Factbox-China's crewed lunar programme eyes astronaut landing by 2030
Doctors say changes to US vaccine recommendations are confusing parents and could harm kids
Hubble Space Telescope spies dusty debris from two cosmic collisions
Charli xcx teases new film ‘The Moment’: What to know about the A24 movie
The Most Vital Crossroads in Olympic History
37 Things Just Individuals Experiencing childhood during the 80s Will Comprehend













