OPINION
EDITOR’S NOTE: Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 20 and runs through Friday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
As Texans, we take great pride in our resilience, our sense of community, and our deep-rooted belief in helping one another through tough times. The growing threat of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease is one of the most significant health challenges facing our families today, and it will only intensify in the years ahead.
This November 4th, Texans have the chance to take decisive action by voting “YES” on Proposition 14, which will establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). This new state institute will drive groundbreaking research, support the development of new treatments, and ultimately help us find a cure for these devastating diseases.
DPRIT is more than a policy proposal; it is a call to action. Proposition 14 will create the first state-funded research institute in Texas history dedicated exclusively to dementia-related illnesses. For millions of Texas families, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are not abstract medical terms, they are deeply personal battles that change lives forever. These diseases know no boundaries. They impact every community, every background, and every family across our great state.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 400,000 Texans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is projected to climb to nearly 1.5 million by 2050. Communities across the state are already feeling the strain. The Rio Grande Valley and South Texas have some of the highest numbers of Alzheimer’s cases in Texas. El Paso County ranks among the top for diagnoses in citizens 65 and older. Along the Texas Gulf Coast, more than 350,000 Texans are living with this disease today.
And Alzheimer’s is only part of the story. Each year, more than 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, another neurodegenerative illness that slowly robs individuals of their independence, mobility, and quality of life. For too many Texans and their families, treatment options are limited, and hope can feel out of reach.
But there is hope, and it starts right here in Texas.
DPRIT will put our state at the forefront of scientific discovery and medical innovation. With the passage of Proposition 14, DPRIT will attract world-class researchers, physicians, and scientists to Texas, building on the incredible foundation of our state’s top-tier universities, medical schools, and research hospitals. Together, we can create a dynamic environment where the brightest minds collaborate to develop new therapies, accelerate breakthroughs, and bring real solutions to families across the state.
Proposition 14 represents a historic investment in the health and future of Texans. The funding it provides will go directly toward research and innovation, not administrative overhead, to advance new treatments, diagnostics, and prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related diseases.
The truth is, the status quo is not enough. These diseases are relentless, and without bold action, the burden on Texas families and our healthcare system will continue to grow. But the opportunity before us is extraordinary. The plan is strong. The vision is clear. Progress, and even victory, is within reach, but only with your support.
If we want Texas to remain the best place to live, work, and raise a family — for this generation and the next — we must invest in the future now. That means supporting bold, forward-thinking research and giving our medical professionals the resources they need to fight these devastating illnesses head-on.
We have done it before. Texans have always stepped up to meet the challenges of our time, whether rebuilding after natural disasters, leading in energy innovation, or supporting life-changing cancer research. Proposition 14 follows that same proud tradition. Just as Texans came together years ago to launch the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), we can now lead the nation in the fight against Dementia and neurodegenerative disease.
Let’s stand together for Texas families, for hope, and for the future. I urge all those in the Concho Valley and West Texas to vote YES on Proposition 14 this November 4th. It is an investment not only in medical research but in our loved ones, our communities, and the generations yet to come. Together, we can make Texas the leader in finding a cure and give families across our state renewed hope for tomorrow.
— Drew Darby, State Representative for House District 72
Texas House District 72 includes Coke, Coleman, Concho, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Reagan, Runnels, Sterling, and Tom Green counties.
