Parkinson’s disease is becoming more common in the United States, and many people do not realize how quickly the numbers are rising. Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, and about 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. By 2030, that number could reach 1.2 million. So what is driving this increase, and what can people actually do about it?
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and a major cause of long-term disability.. And over the past 30 years, the total number of strokes has increased dramatically — especially in low- and middle-income countries.
But here’s the important part: most strokes are preventable.
About 60 to 70 percent of strokes are linked to high blood pressure and unhealthy lifestyle habits. The top risk factors worldwide include high systolic blood pressure, high body weight, high blood sugar, air pollution, and smoking.
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor. Many people don’t even know they have it because it often has no symptoms. That’s why regular screening matters.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition, which means it affects the brain and nervous system. It mainly impacts movement. Over time, people with Parkinson’s may develop shaking (tremors), stiffness in their muscles, slow movements, trouble walking, and problems with balance and coordination. The disease happens when certain brain cells called neurons become damaged or weakened. These cells help control movement, so when they stop working properly, symptoms begin to appear.
In the United States, nearly one million people are living with Parkinson’s disease. Each year, about 60,000 new cases are diagnosed. Researchers predict that by 2030, the number could rise to 1.2 million. The rate of Parkinson’s has increased over the past two decades, and death rates related to the disease have also gone up. Understanding why this is happening—and how to prevent it—is more important than ever .
Alzheimer’s disease does not start the day someone forgets a name. It develops slowly and silently in the brain for years, sometimes even decades, before symptoms show up. By the time memory problems begin, damage has already been building for a long time.
A new study published in nature medicine looked at whether a simple blood test could help predict when symptoms might start. The researchers focused on a blood marker called plasma p-tau217 and created what they call “p-tau217 clocks” to estimate how close someone may be to developing symptoms.
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and a major cause of long-term disability. Millions of people are affected each year, and the burden is growing—especially in low- and middle-income countries. The good news is that many strokes are preventable.
A major global report published in The Lancet Public Health explains how better prevention strategies could dramatically reduce stroke rates and save lives. Here is what the research shows—and what you can do in your daily life to lower your risk.
Alzheimer’s disease develops silently for years before memory loss begins. By the time symptoms appear, brain changes have often been progressing for a long time. A new study published in Nature Medicine introduces an innovative way to estimate when symptoms may begin—using a simple blood test that measures plasma p-tau217. Researchers developed what they call “p-tau217 clocks,” tools that can help predict the onset of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease years in advance.