Announcements: The 24^thWorld Parkinson’s Day — April 11, 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly after Alzheimer’s disease. Affecting 1%–2% of the population over the age of 65 years old, patients under the age of 50 years old have seen a continuous rise in recent years due to environmental pollution or poisonous chemical substances (1). The most notable symptoms in PD patients are hand tremors, stiff or rigid movements, poor balance, and a shuffling gait. Symptoms begin gradually and typically worsen over time, resulting in permanent disability.

Since 1997, the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) has designated April 11, the birthday of Dr James Parkinson, as “World Parkinson’s Day.” Many governmental departments and sectors of society in many countries choose to hold Parkinson’s disease theme activities on April 11. On this day there are efforts made to increase public awareness of this disease, promote early detection, scientific treatment, joint prevention, and control of Parkinson’s disease to improve the quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

According to statistics, it is estimated that in China at least 3 million people are currently affected by Parkinson’s disease, and the number of patients will be increasing to 5 million by 2030, which will represent more than 50 percent of the cases worldwide (2–3).