As outlined on the slide, by some estimates the prevalence of PD appears to be higher in Europe than the rest of the world.2 The population in Europe is broadly older than that of the whole world, meaning that the European population may be more vulnerable to diseases where age is a risk factor, such as PD.3 Indeed, neurological diseases are the third-most common cause of death in the European Union area, partly explained by the long life expectancy enjoyed by many across Europe.3 The progressive aging of the population of Europe will increase the already great burden of neurological disorders on healthcare systems, reinforcing the importance of good prevention and care for patients.3

References:
1.GBD 2016 Parkinson’s Disease Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of Parkinson’s disease, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet Neurol 2018; 17 (11): 939–953.

2.Zhu J, Cui Y, Zhang J, et al. Temporal trends in the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease from 1980 to 2023: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Healthy Longev 2024; 5 (7): e464-e479.

3.Deuschl G, Beghi E, Fazekas F, et al. The burden of neurological diseases in Europe: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet Public Health 2020; 5 (10): e551–e567.