
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
Global measles cases drop 71% in 24 years as vaccination coverage improves, WHO says - 2
Step by step instructions to Buy a Jeep Wrangler on a Senior's Spending plan - 3
4 buzzy new TV shows to watch — plus the return of 'The Comeback,' 'Jury Duty' and more - 4
Carina Nebula shines with white-blue stars | Space photo of the day for Jan. 5, 2026 - 5
UN warns civil liberties under threat due to war in Middle East
Figure out How to Utilize Your Web based Advertising Degree to Break into the Tech Business
Monetary Security: Building Serious areas of strength for an Establishment
The Forgotten BMW Coupe That Turned a 5 Series Into Something Far More Exotic
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free this weekend
Consume Fat Quick: 10 Demonstrated Activities for Ideal Outcomes
Old food pyramid vs. RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid. See what's different.
Tributes pour in for MIT professor Nuno Loureiro amid unresolved shooting case
True serenity: Investigating Emotional well-being and the Advantages of Contemplation
The ‘Stranger Things’ finale, explained: What happens to Vecna? And why was a key character’s fate left unknown?













