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EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - Awareness EPDA - Coping Strategies EPDA - Medical Information EPDA - Patient Guide EPDA - Site Map EPDA - Rewrite Tomorrow
EUROPEAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION
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Political affairs and policy

The EPDA have long been highlighting the high and increasing economic and social impact of Parkinson’s disease and raising awareness that there is substantially less cost to society when Parkinson’s is treated early and properly. Yet, the  “Move for Change”  campaign has identified that many people with Parkinson’s in Europe are still not given appropriate quality Parkinson’s care.  In 2006 the prevalence of Parkinson’s in Europe was estimated at 1.2 million people1 with an annual cost of €11 billion1.  As the population life expectancy increases this cost will continue to rise, especially in the late stages of the disease where the impact is at its greatest on the people with Parkinson’s, their families, carers and society as a whole.

The EPDA is active in policy areas that relate to people with Parkinson’s and their families. By working with its member organisations, which represent the needs of individual people with Parkinson’s and their families at a national level, the EPDA aims to:

  • ensure equal and timely access to prompt diagnosis and good quality Parkinson’s disease care across Europe by raising standards and reducing inequalities

  • increase public awareness of Parkinson’s disease as a priority health challenge

  • help reduce stigma and remove discrimination against people with Parkinson’s disease

  • support the development of national Parkinson’s disease organisations throughout Europe.

 

References


  1. Consensus document on brain research,

    J. Olesen, M Baker, T Freund, M Di Luca, J Mendlewicz, I Regan, M Westphal - EBC - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006

European Union

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Within the European Union (EU) the EPDA aims to work to

  1. Maintain and increase funding for research into Parkinson's disease under the next framework programme

  2. Improve data collection across the EU as well as establish standards for monitoring, and reporting of Parkinson’s disease across Member States;

  3. Make provision for Parkinson’s organisations so their members have a voice when vital decisions are made about their health care;

  4. Ensure that EU policies on neurodegenerative diseases are fully integrated into current EU health initiatives.

 

These political affairs and policy pages set out the EPDA aims, objectives and steps, that together with its 45 member organisations, they will be taking to effect change.

EPDA’s  overarching ambition is to ensure that equal access to good quality, specialised care across Europe becomes a reality; that standards are raised and inequalities reduced for people with Parkinson’s and their families.