Exploring regional distribution of Parkinson’s disease in Greece and future projections

Abstract Greece is experiencing one of the most rapid rates of population aging in Europe, leading to a growing burden of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a condition closely linked to advancing age. In this study, we estimated the number of individuals living with PD across Greece by applying age- and sex-specific prevalence rates to population data from the 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2023 national censuses, and projected future trends for 2035 and 2050. The number of PD cases has increased steadily from approximately 17,000 in 1991 to over 31,000 in 2023 and is projected to exceed 40,000 by 2035 and nearly 50,000 by 2050. A key finding is the uneven geographic distribution of PD cases: Attica and Central Macedonia consistently show the highest numbers due to their large, aging populations, while smaller regions such as the Ionian Islands and North Aegean face unique challenges related to limited healthcare access. These differences highlight the need for region-specific healthcare planning. The heatmaps and projections presented in this study offer valuable tools for policymakers to address the rising and regionally varied impact of PD in Greece.