## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Press Room](/about-us/press-room) - [Press Releases](/about-us/press-room/press-releases) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Press Room](/about-us/press-room) - [Press Releases](/about-us/press-room/press-releases) # Parkinson’s Foundation-Backed Convening Publishes Position Statement *First-ever Parkinson’s think tank identifies eight actions to prevent disease* **MIAMI & NEW YORK** **(October 13, 2026) –**The [Parkinson’s Foundation](/node/79 "Homepage") published a new position paper establishing a global framework for stopping Parkinson’s disease (PD) before onset. Recently published in the medical journal [npj](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-026-01437-1) by PD experts and following the convening of the first-ever Parkinson's Disease Prevention Think Tank, the paper serves as a strategic call-to-action for clinicians, researchers and policymakers to move beyond symptom management and toward primary prevention. “This Think Tank set out to answer the bold question: What will it take to get to Parkinson’s Zero, a world where no one has Parkinson’s?” said Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Medical Officer Sneha Mantri, MD, MS, FAAN. “Our goal is to draw attention to primary prevention by advancing research and shaping policy. Our report outlines the actions needed on the individual and system level to make this vision a reality.” PD is the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder, with 10 million people worldwide currently living with the disease. In the United States, more than 90,000 people are diagnosed with PD every year. Current data shows that PD incidence is increasing at a rate that exceeds what can be explained by aging or genetics alone. Without intervention, these rising rates will lead to increased disability and premature death with profound economic consequences. The [Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases](https://fixel.ufhealth.org/getting-care/centers-of-excellence/parkinsons-center-of-excellence/), a [Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), partnered with PF and hosted the Think Tank last November. The Think Tank’s strategy requires a fundamental shift in how the global medical community addresses the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors driving the rise in diagnoses. The eight priority actions (or eight C’s) the Think Tank recommends to create a world without Parkinson’s are: 1. **C**ount Incidence and Prevalence: Establish a global PD database to measure the specific impact of prevention efforts and new policies. 2. **C**onduct Studies: Combine genetic, clinical and digital data to identify how environmental exposures trigger disease progression. 3. **C**reate Policy Change: Urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban toxic chemicals linked to PD, including paraquat, chlorpyrifos and trichloroethylene. 4. **C**ounsel on Risk: Educate the public on lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and diet, and how to minimize chemical exposure. 5. **C**ommunicate Clearly: Engage by educating public and leadership audiences about PD using clear, consistent messaging infused with ways to take action. 6. Form **C**oalitions: Align messaging across disease organizations to amplify advocacy and reach a broader audience. 7. Apply **C**ross-disciplinary Approaches: Integrate insights from health economists and toxicologists to understand the financial and biological burdens of the disease. 8. Financial **C**ommitment: Secure $600 million in annual NIH-funded research to address the 20% inflation-adjusted decrease in federal funding since 2021. Through initiatives like the [National Plan to End Parkinson’s](/how-to-help/policy-advocacy-priorities/national-project "The National Parkinson’s Project"), the Foundation has already started working with policymakers and the Parkinson’s community to drive progress here in the U.S. To help ensure that a wide range of ideas and perspectives are represented and discussed, input from the [Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care, and Services (ACPRCS)](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/trans-agency-activities/national-plan-end-parkinsons-act/parkinsons-council), which includes people living with PD, caregivers, health care providers, researchers, advocacy organizations and representatives from federal agencies, is used to develop the National Plan. Co-author, ACPRCS member and National Medical Advisor to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Michael S. Okun, MD, said, “Strategic research remains our best path toward slowing, stopping and ultimately preventing Parkinson’s disease.” Dr. Okun added, “While disease-specific organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and clinical care for more than 70 years, stable federal funding is essential to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful advances for people and families.” The full position paper and the “eight C’s” framework are available [here](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-026-01437-1). The Think Tank will reconvene this November in Washington, D.C. to address specific policy needs aligned with these prevention strategies. Attendance is by invitation only. To learn more about the National Pan to End Parkinson’s and the Foundation’s advocacy priorities, visit [Parkinson.org/Policy](/how-to-help/policy-advocacy-priorities "Policy & Advocacy Priorities"). \### **About the Parkinson’s Foundation** The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $513 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on [Parkinson.org](http://www.parkinson.org/), [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/ParkinsonDotOrg), [X](https://x.com/ParkinsonDotOrg), [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/ParkinsonDotOrg/) or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636). **About Parkinson’s Disease** Affecting more than one million Americans, Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., trouble sleeping, loss of smell and depression). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. ### Subscribe for the latest news - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn