This morning Shake It Up founder, Clyde Campbell and CEO, Ben Young attended a briefing at Parliament House where Senators and MPs were presented with the findings of The Deloitte Access Economics Report “Living with Parkinson’s Disease” commissioned by Parkinson’s Australia in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The report shows the total economic cost of Parkinson’s disease to the community is approximately $10 billion per year and will only increase unless Parkinson’s is made the focus of national action.

Hosted by Parkinson’s Australia, the briefing sought to highlight the costs and health inequalities associated with Parkinson’s and urge the government to address the burden of disease on the community before the health system collapses under the strain of increased prevalence and an ageing population.

Steve Sant, CEO Parkinson’s Australia says “that the recommendations from the organisation are based on economic and clinical evidence”.

“Parkinson’s Australia is making practical suggestions to reduce the overall cost to the community, help people living with Parkinson’s remain active and independent and reduce direct health care costs through avoidance of unnecessary hospital and aged care admissions, reduce lengths of stay and medical specialist consultations,” he said.

Given Shake It Up’s focus on research, we are persistently and passionately presenting the case for a more significant commitment to Parkinson’s research and over the coming months, we look forward to sharing how you can participate in this effort.

You can read the full report here