
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
FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss: What to know - 2
China bans storing cremated remains in empty 'bone ash apartments' - 3
Geminid meteors streak under green sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 19, 2025 - 4
Knesset FADC extends emergency draft for 280,000 IDF reservists until January 1 - 5
All the ways Marjorie Taylor Greene has shifted her approach lately — and why Trump is 'surprised at her'
Inside Kathy Hilton’s Christmas pajama party: caviar bumps, champagne vending machines and a mansion full of Housewives
Big Bear glows with big stars | Space photo of the day for Dec. 31, 2025
The Best Games Crossroads in History
5 things for parents to know about changes to kids vaccine schedule
Which Brilliant Home Gadget Can't You Reside Without?
The 10 Most Compelling Forerunners in Innovation
Airport wait times won't return to normal until Congress reaches a deal to pay TSA. Here's why they still can't come to an agreement.
Figure out How to Take part in Open Conversations Around 5G Pinnacles
5 Morning Schedules That Stimulate Your Day












