Canadian Study of Neurological Conditions
Canadian study of neurological conditions provides new vital information on the impact of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario is excited to share the report on The National Populations Health Study of Neurological Conditions by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with Neurological Health Charities Canada. The four-year, $15 million study investigated the scope of 14 neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, and how they affect Canadians, as well as related risk factors, economic costs and the use of health services.
The study involved 130 researchers and clinicians from 30 institutions across Canada, as well as 177,000 Canadians affected by neurological conditions who offered their insights and personal experiences.
Key findings of the study regarding Parkinson’s disease (PD) include the following:
- The number of Canadians over 40, living with Parkinson’s disease, will increase by 65 per cent, from 99,000 in 2016 to 163,700 by 2031.
- The number of Canadians over 65, living with Parkinson’s disease, will more than double to 148,800 by 2031.
- Parkinson’s has the third highest level of direct health care costs, after Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and Epilepsy.
- People living with Parkinson’s disease have the highest use of prescription medication.
- Annual, out-of-pocket expenses for each person with Parkinson’s is $1,100 on average.
- The level of stress doubles when caring for an individual living with neurological conditions and is greater if the neurological condition is accompanied by cognitive impairment or behavioural issues, which affects many people with Parkinson’s.
- Forty per cent of respondents with Parkinson’s disease experience thinking and problem-solving limitations; and 50 per cent experience memory limitations.
- More than half of those who reported having Parkinson’s disease have fair or poor general health.
- The number of days in residential care is highest for those with Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and other dementia, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease.
One of the critical outcomes of the study and its collaborative process, is a commitment from the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue to monitor and measure the prevalence and impacts of neurological conditions in Canada, including those of Parkinson’s disease.
The report points out the lack of information on the risk factors or causes of most neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. Reliable data collection and ongoing research are the best ways to address such gaps.
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario is pleased to share the full report: Mapping Connections: An Understanding of Neurological Conditions in Canada.