Objective: Through a (SWOT) analysis, this study looked at the climate change indices and the susceptibility of Parkinson’s patients in the MENA region and North Africa to conduct and support the call for considering and implementing corrective actions within these vulnerable regions.

Background:

Climate change indices such as global warming, extreme heat stress, rising temperature, and pollution can impose multiple challenges on patients with neurodevelopmental diseases such as Parkinson’s patients. Based on this narrative review, these indices may directly or indirectly affect Parkinson’s indices such as; the prevalence, symptoms, and conservative treatment of those patients.

Method: The evidence collected is accredited to the research studies on Pubmed at the National Library of Medicine, BMC Public Health, Journal of Environmental Research, Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), Economic Research Forum (ERF), IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2019, and The World Bank Group (Middle East & North Africa Climate Roadmap 2021-2025).

Results: The results of the present and recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence index in the MENA region, as PD accounted for 309.9 thousand (95% UI: 265.0 to 362.8). Furthermore, a significant correlation of 25% is detected between the global warming index and PD patients’ epidemiological indices.

Global warming and climate changes threats can worsen non-motor symptoms such as; fatigue, heat stresses, and energy expenditure as well as motor symptoms, consequently, such as; rigidity and decreasing level of endurance.

Another strong link has been found between air pollutants and factors of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, as well as occupational exposures to various metals, Trichloroethylene, pesticides, and herbicides and the development of PD.

Conclusion: There’s a detectable link between climate change indices and PD burdens , and bold actions are a must as the MENA region and North Africa are, particularly, more vulnerable to climate changes direct and indirect effects due to the lower capacity to adjust or adapt to the indices and consequences.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/climate-change-indices-and-the-vulnerability-of-parkinsons-patients-in-the-mena-region-and-north-africa-a-narrative-review/