
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
Turkey key underlying issue as Israel, Greece, Cyprus hold summit - 2
Dark matter obeys gravity after all — could that rule out a 5th fundamental force in the universe? - 3
The most effective method to Help a Friend or family member Determined to have Cellular breakdown in the lungs - 4
Florence's Uffizi Gallery moves treasures to safety after cyberattack - 5
NASA satellite gazes into Medusa Pool | Space photo of the day for Dec. 24, 2025
Health officials report 14 Legionnaires' disease cases in Florida, gym connection suspected
Yes, NASA's launching Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon on April Fools' Day. It's not a joke.
New funding transforms lives by expanding electricity access across Africa
Here's what the Artemis 2 astronauts will be doing on each day of NASA's historic moon mission
A decade after Brazil’s deadly dam collapse, Indigenous peoples demand justice on the eve of COP30
Avoid Slam: Exploring the Pickup Truck Transformation
Best Veggie lover Dinner: What's Your Plant-Based Pick?
Find the Historical backdrop of the Modern Unrest: Changing Society and Innovation
Relive NASA's historic Artemis 2 launch to the moon in these stunning photos













