Medical Minute with Dr. Rob Gillio World Parkinson’s Day

🧠 Medical Minute with Dr. Rob Gillio
World Parkinson’s Day
👋 Hi, I’m Dr. Rob Gillio, Chief Medical Officer for the Force for Health Network.

Today is World Parkinson’s Day, a time to shine a light on a serious but often misunderstood condition that affects millions of people and families worldwide.

🩺 What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects movement. It occurs when brain cells that produce dopamine — a chemical that coordinates muscle activity — start to die off. Symptoms can include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and problems with balance.

👵🏽 Who Does it Affect?
While Parkinson’s is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60, it can also affect younger individuals. It’s estimated that more than 10 million people globally live with this condition, and many more are impacted as caregivers and family members.

🛡️ Can it Be Prevented?
There’s no known cure or guaranteed prevention, but a healthy lifestyle — including regular exercise, good nutrition, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins — may lower risk or delay symptoms. Early recognition and support can make a big difference.

📢 What Can We Do to Raise Awareness?
Talk about it. Support research. Advocate for better care. Check in with people who may be affected. Awareness leads to empathy, and empathy leads to action.

💡 Let’s take action together.

When we take time to understand conditions like Parkinson’s, we become better friends, neighbors, and health champions. Learn it. Live it. Share it.

I’m Dr. Rob Gillio — thanks for being a Force for Health today.