The Queen’s Medical Center’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center has been awarded a $387,027.96 grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to help fund a research project titled “Disparities in Care of Parkinson’s Disease Patients Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: A Retrospective Analysis of Hospitalization and Pilot Study for a Prospective Longitudinal Cohort.”
The project, led by Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center Medical Director and neurologist Dr. Michiko Bruno and neurologist Dr. Fay Gao, will look to understand the extent of disparities faced among Asian Americans (AA), Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), and identify optimal strategies to ensure they have access to high quality care.
The research project will be comprised of two parts: 1) a data analysis of statewide Parkinson’s disease hospital admissions from 2010 to 2020 to determine the frequency of hospitalizations in AA and NHPI populations compared to Caucasians, and 2) forming a study group of AA and NHPI to follow over time in an effort to obtain much-needed data about their behaviors, attitudes, and clinical outcomes.
“Because no Parkinson’s disease data exists for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, and minimal data exists for Asian Americans, we need to urgently understand their disease course, current care, and quality of life, as well as health-related behavior and support system,” said Dr. Michiko Bruno, Medical Director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center at The Queen’s Medical Center. “This research project will work to break down barriers of care for these specific populations and provide best recommendations on how they can receive appropriate care at the highest level. This project closely aligns with Queens’ mission of providing quality health care services to Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawaii.”
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, established in 2000, is the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s disease research in the world, having funded more than $1 billion to date. It was launched after actor Michael J. Fox disclosed his 1991 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease estimated to affect 1-2% of those over 65 years old. In Hawaii, approximately 8,000 people are living with Parkinson’s disease. By 2030, more than 16,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease.
The Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center at Queen’s Neuroscience Institute is a multi-disciplinary program dedicated to comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for movement disorders. It is a team-based approach, which includes highly trained movement specialists (neurosurgeons and neurologists), ancillary providers and staff. For more information about the center call 808-691-8866 or visit www.queens.org/locations/hospitals/qmc/services/neuroscience/parkinsons-and-movement-disorder-center/.
