World Parkinson’s Day Observed on 11 April 2025.
Important Days
World Parkinson's Day (WPD) is observed globally every year on 11 April to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD) — a chronic, progressive neurological disorder affecting both motor and non-motor functions. The date commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. James Parkinson, the English surgeon who first described PD as "paralysis agitans" in his 1817 work An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.
- The inaugural World Parkinson’s Day was held in April 1997, co-founded by the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA), now known as Parkinson’s Europe, and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The 1997 event also marked the launch of the Parkinson’s Europe Charter, which aimed to unite patients, families, and healthcare professionals in raising the global profile of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
- In December 2003, the WHO established a Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease, which led to the development of the Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease. This declaration was officially launched in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and aimed to transform societal attitudes toward Parkinson’s disease.
Main Point :- (i) The red tulip with a white fringe was adopted as the official symbol of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) during the 9th World Parkinson’s Day Conference held in Luxembourg in 2005. In 2022, global PD organizations launched ‘The Spark’, a unified logo symbolizing hope and reinforcing international advocacy efforts.
(ii) Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic neurological disorder that disrupts dopamine production in the brain, impairing movement control. Symptoms include tremors, rigidity, and balance difficulties. While there is no cure, treatments like levodopa medication, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve quality of life. Over 10 million people currently live with PD globally, a number expected to double by 2050.
(iii) In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease, recognizing it as a public health priority and encouraging nations to enhance research and care. According to a report by the Parkinson’s Disease Society (UK), more than 10 million individuals worldwide are affected by PD.
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