Study Rationale: As new treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) are developed, it is important to determine how they might affect the health and finances of people with PD, their families and society. Understanding these effects can help improve the lives of those with PD, encourage financial support to cover treatments and inspire new ideas for future treatments.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that new treatments for PD will significantly improve the health and wellbeing of persons living with PD — and their families — over their lifetime.
Study Design: To measure how new treatments will improve the health and financial security of people with PD, we will gather the information needed to support planning for the development of a new model of the onset and evolution of PD over an individual’s lifetime.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s disease: Families, policymakers and drug developers will use this newly created information to understand how different types of novel treatments for PD will improve wellbeing and will spur more innovation in PD treatments.
Next Steps for Development: The model can be used to measure the health and financial effects of new PD treatments, helping families to plan for the future and governments to make decisions on healthcare policies and expand treatment options. The goal is to improve the lives of people with PD patients and their families.