The rising incidence of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition is a cause for grave concern in today’s times. More information on it has been printed by experts in the field in the ‘Journal of Parkinson’s Disease’.
Considering the rate of increase provided by statistical evidence experts have indicated that the number of people affected by the disease will touch about 12 million by 2040. They have associated the term ’pandemic’ to the disease in spite of it being a non-communicable disease due to certain other factors which exhibit the features of a pandemic.
The increased life expectancy of the population has made more people open to the risk of Parkinson’s disease as it largely affects only the older generation. The second factor is surprisingly the reduced incidence of smoking among the overall population. Some studies have revealed that consumption of tobacco restricts the occurrence of the disease. The third factor is industrial growth. Factors associated with industrialization such as larger use of solvents, pesticides and heavy metals heighten the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In spite of knowing that one of the pesticides called ‘paraquat’ is a strong cause for the disease its use is still prevalent in many countries.
Improved socio-economic levels of today are in fact doing nothing to reduce the incidence of the disease. How do we then tackle the growing risk of the disease? Active intervention from all quarters is the key. The disease is not inevitable and can be prevented. For that more fund allocations for in depth research into the reasons for the occurrence of the disease and analyzing the progress trend is essential. Effective medications with lesser side effects have to be developed. Total ban on manufacture and use of risk causing chemicals should be implemented.
In short, more focus on public awareness of the disease, accumulation of funds for research and a supportive policy should suffice for a good start in the right direction.