Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, Hospitalized After Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Diagnosis

Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, Hospitalized After Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Diagnosis

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized in Chicago and is currently under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and eye control. His organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, confirmed that the 84-year-old activist is being monitored for complications related to the condition, which he has been managing for more than a decade.

In a statement shared with multiple outlets, the coalition said Jackson is “under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP),” describing it as a disorder he has lived with for many years after initially being treated for Parkinson’s disease. Jackson publicly announced a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017; doctors later confirmed PSP after further evaluation last April.

PSP is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease because of overlapping symptoms, but it typically progresses more quickly and can severely affect a person’s ability to walk, maintain balance, and move their eyes. The condition can also lead to serious complications, including falls and difficulty swallowing.

Jackson’s family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition have not released detailed information about his current condition, but they have requested support from the public. “The family appreciates all prayers at this time,” the coalition said, asking well-wishers to keep Jackson in their thoughts as he receives medical care.