Lyme used to be viewed as endemic to only a handful of regions, but experts estimate that about 14% of the world’s population has been diagnosed with the disease.
@projectlyme Did you know that 1 in 7 people on Earth have been impacted by Lyme disease? It's time to pay attention to this global health crisis. #lymedisease #tickbornedisease #lymediseaseawareness #health ♬ Sad Music (Emotional Dramatic Cinematic Background) – michael30lerm
Ticks exist on every continent except Antarctica, meaning that tick-borne disease is just as widespread. Borrelia Burdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, is the most commonly diagnosed. Patients typically contract more than one tick-borne disease, known as co-infections.
Climate change is also a factor. Higher temperatures over longer time periods have caused tick habitats to expand, increasing rates of the disease. According to a study, Europeans have the highest occurrences, with up to 20% of the population having been diagnosed in some areas. It also states that 9% of North Americans have had Lyme.
In addition, studies in the United States have found tick populations carrying Borrelia living on California beaches. This is contrary to the general public perception that you can only get it from walking in the woods.
The fact that Lyme is everywhere has not deterred the same issues from plaguing patients. European and Canadian Lyme activists continually cite examples of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatment protocols, and an aversion to facts from the highest levels of health administration, which is similar to their American counterparts.
Documentaries such as The Red Ring highlight these struggles on a global scale and describe how these issues have led to an increased burden on our healthcare systems. However, awareness is only step one. Systemic changes need to be made soon.
As a non-profit, Project Lyme’s mission is to eradicate the growing problem of tick-borne disease. There are many issues that need to be addressed in order to make this happen including:
Project Lyme has done a variety of things to achieve our mission including
Project Lyme believes this is just scratching the surface of what can be accomplished in the area of education, prevention, and research. And now more than ever progress is important given that close to 1 in 7 people on Earth have been impacted by Lyme.
Education
11/20/2024
After losing the role of a lifetime, an aspiring actor retreats to his hometown. When he encounters a woman who has Lyme disease, an unexpected friendship develops, forcing them both to make life altering decisions.
Education
11/19/2024
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) hosted its 2024 Annual Scientific Conference from November 7–10, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. This highly rated conference focuses on the theme "Redefining Lyme Disease: The Fusion of Science and Practice," bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates to advance the understanding and treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses.
Education
11/04/2024
When someone in a child’s life has Lyme disease — whether it is a parent, a sibling, a friend, or they themselves — they are bound to have questions. They may experience a range of feelings, including stress, worry, fear, or even anger. Parents and other caring adults can help by providing age-appropriate answers and being present and supportive.
