- In 2019 there were 8.5 million people who suffered from this disease.
- Common diseases whose symptoms are confused with those of Alzheimer's
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| It is a progressive pathology of the nervous system that mainly affects movement, the earliest symptom of which is a tremor in one hand. / Pixabay |
In the last 25 years, Parkinson's cases have doubled in the world, reaching 8.5 million people suffering from the disease in 2019, according to the report Parkinson's disease: a public health approach, prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is a degenerative condition of the brain associated with motor symptoms (slow movement, tremor, stiffness, and imbalance when walking) and a wide variety of non-motor complications (cognitive impairment, mental health disorders, pain, and other sensory disturbances).
Motor impairments, including involuntary movements (dyskinesias) and painful involuntary muscle contractions (dystonias), contribute to limitations in speech, mobility, and thus restrictions in many areas of life.
The progression of these symptoms and complications markedly decreases functioning and quality of life, resulting in high rates of disability and care needs, as well as stress and burden on caregivers.
In this sense, the body has warned that disability and death from Parkinson's are increasing "faster" than any other neurological disorder. In fact, current estimates suggest that in 2019, it caused 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years, an 81 percent increase since 2000, and caused 329,000 deaths, an increase of more than 100 percent. since 2000.
However, despite the significant impact of the disease, the WHO has lamented the "inequality" that exists in the availability of resources and services to provide treatment and care, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
And it is that the WHO Neurology Atlas (2017) provides estimates of 0.03 neurologists per 100,000 inhabitants in low-income countries and 4.75 per 100,000 inhabitants in high-income countries.
For all these reasons, the United Nations organization has highlighted the need to promote global health policies to implement strategies focused on Parkinson's disease; improve education and awareness to prevent and reduce the risks of the pathology; and ensure access to treatment and health care.