Austin proclaims July as Chronic Illness Awareness Month; local groups urge testing, resources

Council member Mark Duchin read a proclamation declaring July 2026 as Chronic Illness Awareness Month in Austin and framed the observance around reducing stigma and expanding access to care. Duchin said his own experience with ankylosing spondylitis shaped his public service and argued elected officials should not shy from discussing chronic illness. "This is about our ability to recognize both suffering and resolve," Duchin said.

Representatives from three local organizations described services and outreach. Michelle Miller of the Arthritis Foundation said "1 in 4 adults have arthritis" and noted the foundation opened an Austin office in 2025. A Power for Parkinson’s representative described free classes across Austin serving several hundred people each week and noted approximately 77,000 Texans live with Parkinson’s. Kate Henderson of Urology Austin highlighted underdiagnosed urologic conditions and announced free educational events and clinical research opportunities in Central Texas.