By David Martin Davies – Texas Public Radio –
As the global population ages, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is steadily climbing, making vigilance and early recognition increasingly important. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, often starting with subtle tremors, stiffness, or changes in walking and speech. It affects approximately 1% of people over the age of 60 and nearly 10 million people worldwide. In the United States alone, around 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and that number is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades as more Americans live longer.
The urgency of this issue goes beyond the personal toll on patients and families. Parkinson’s disease is already an economic burden, with a 2022 Parkinson’s Foundation report estimating its annual cost to the U.S. economy at over $52 billion. This includes $25 billion in direct medical costs and $27 billion in lost productivity, caregiver expenses, and disability-related costs. By 2037, as the population over 65 grows, economists project the cost could approach $80 billion annually unless new treatments and care strategies are widely implemented.
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