User:EPDA/European Parkinson's Disease Association

The European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) is a non-religious, non-political, and non-profit making organisation concerned with the health and welfare of people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their families and carers.

Founded in June 1992, in Munich, with a membership of 9 European Parkinson's patient organisations, the EPDA currently has a membership of 41 organisations from across Europe.

The EPDA provides an important forum for partnership. By encouraging constructive dialogue between international patient and neurological organisations, and the pharmaceutical industry, we are able to develop research projects into quality of life (QoL) issues, and conferences for multidisciplinary teams and people with Parkinson's of all ages.

To further extend the voice of the EPDA, strong links have been established with the


 * European Parkinson's Nurses Network (EPNN)
 * European Occupational Therapists Network PD (EOTNPD)
 * European Commission
 * Working Group on Parkinson’s disease (WGoPD)
 * World Federation of Neurology (WFN)
 * World Health Organization

Aims and Objectives
The EPDA Mission Statement is "to ease the lives of people with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers by promoting a constructive dialogue between science and society, and by encouraging and supporting the development of national PD organisations".

It's Objectives are:
 * Promote international understanding of Parkinson's Disease
 * Enable patients and carers to draw on best caring practice worldwide
 * Provide access to the latest medical and surgical advice
 * Exchange knowledge and understanding of the care of Parkinson's to help patient and carers make informed choices to achieve the best quality of life possible
 * Develop knowledge and awareness of the medical, social and personal needs of people living with Parkinson's and overcome barriers to good communication with patients, their families and between professionals