Parkinson’s Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting over 12 million people worldwide, is witnessing an increase in diagnoses across the globe. According to one study, it is projected that by 2050, the number of cases will rise to 25.2 million, or 267 per 100,000 people, primarily due to an aging population and inadequate healthcare in many low-and middle-income countries. In these regions, limited access to neurological care, delayed diagnoses, and fewer treatment resources contribute to the rapid rise in both cases and disease burden.
Dr. Michael S. Okun, MD, serves as the National Medical Advisor at the Parkinson’s Foundation and is the Chair of Neurology as well as the Executive Director at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida Health. He is the author of several books, including Living with Parkinson’s Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Caregivers, as well as his upcoming title, The Parkinson’s Plan, which is scheduled for release on August 19, 2025.
While attending the Parkinson’s Foundation World Summit in Fiesole, Italy at the Fresco Parkinson Institute, he addressed the global health emergency confronting the population on social media.
Shocking Facts about Parkinson’s
In his posts on X and LinkedIn, Dr. Okun revealed “three shocking facts” about Parkinson’s Disease. First, he noted that “Parkinson’s has become the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder.” Dr. Okun emphasizes that the surge in cases is not solely age-related; he points to additional environmental factors such as toxins and industrialization.
Pollutants are becoming increasingly associated with the rise in Parkinson’s cases globally. The chemical Trichloroethylene is one of these according to the National Institutes of Health or NIH. “TCE is a simple, six-atom molecule that can decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal parts, and dry clean clothes. The colorless chemical was first linked to Parkinsonism in 1969. Since then, four case studies involving eight individuals have linked occupational exposure to TCE to Parkinson’s Disease.”
The second fact he shared is that “Most (all) countries are unprepared for the rise in numbers.” Dr. Okun points out that “Despite this explosive growth, the majority of nations have no Parkinson’s registry, no coordinated prevention plan, and limited access to specialists.”
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology, published online July 11, 2022, summarizes how most countries lack essential systems such as Parkinson’s registries, prevention strategies, and access to specialists, highlighting the need for urgent action at both national and global levels.
The American Parkinson’s Disease Association elaborates on these figures in an article published on June 13, 2019: “The total cost of Parkinson’s Disease is $52 billion every year, with $25.4 billion attributable to direct medical costs, and $26.5 billion attributable to indirect medical costs. Of that total cost, $25 billion is shouldered by the federal government through Social Security and Medicare programs. These numbers are double the previous estimates.”
The third fact Dr. Okun presented was that “Parkinson’s now causes more deaths than Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and Huntington’s Disease combined.” He reports that Parkinson-related deaths have more than doubled in the last 20 years, outpacing every other neurological disease, with a cost of $52 billion a year in the U.S.
Dr. Okun’s concluded, “The bottom line Parkinson’s is a global public health emergency, and most of the world isn’t ready.” There are numerous figures regarding how many will be affected by Parkinson’s Disease. According to the study mentioned at the beginning, “Since 1990, the number of people living with PD has more than doubled, and it’s projected to (more than) double again by 2040, reaching over 17 million cases globally.” Dr. Okun states that the increase in Parkinson’s patients is growing at an alarming rate.
The Use of AI for Parkinson’s Treatment
Three additional shocking facts discussed include the use of AI for the early detection of Parkinson’s Disease. A worldwide plan to help address the rise of Parkinson’s, as described in his forthcoming book co-authored with Dr. Ray Dorsey, The Parkinson’s Plan, envisions AI diagnosing individuals with Parkinson’s years before symptoms develop. He states, “Machine learning models are now picking up digital biomarkers from speech, typing, and gait, sometimes 5 to 10 years before a clinical diagnosis. Early detection could equal earlier intervention.”
An example of employing machine learning for diagnosis is already in use by an Australian research group, the Parkinson’s Foundation of Australia, with an AI program called Keysense, led by Dr. Warwick Adams. According to PFA, Keysense functions by recording and analyzing the rhythm and cadence of each keystroke while typing a predetermined set of text, utilizing eleven machine learning models to evaluate movements. The software reportedly can detect Parkinson’s Disease symptoms, such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor, as users type the 350-word or 2000-character text displayed by Keysense.
He also discusses how patients in rural or remote areas can benefit from a “Virtual Movement Disorder Team.” Dr. Okun envisions a future where patients can undergo “home-based voice analysis, video exams, and personalized drug adjustments, all powered by AI.” However, he expresses concerns that the Parkinson’s community is not as engaged as he believes it should be. “The Parkinson community isn’t talking to ‘Big AI,’ and that’s dangerous,” he asserts. He states, “While pharma partnerships are common, tech giants driving AI innovation have little engagement with Parkinson’s advocacy or care networks. If we don’t shape this future, someone else will. My take: AI in Parkinson’s isn’t just science fiction; it’s already reshaping diagnosis, care delivery, and global access. But we must ask the hard questions, demand transparency, and ensure these tools are designed with patients, not just profits, in mind.”
