Episode 166: Navigating Disparities, Ethics, and Stigma in the Black Parkinson’s Community

Black and African American people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, potentially leading to decreased access to care, resources, and research opportunities. It is crucial to recognize their unique needs and experiences so that scientists can better understand how PD impacts diverse communities. The Parkinson’s Foundation aims to identify these healthcare disparities to better serve and support the community.

In this second episode of our Black History Month special, Dr. Reversa Joseph, Neurologist, MDS at the Columbus Ohio VA, and Dr. Hiral G. Shah, Neurologist, MDS at Columbia University Medical Center, discuss current and historical disparities in research and treatment among the Black and African American PD community. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness about PD in this community, as well as in the medical space, to better understand the diverse lived experiences of the Black PD community. They also address the need to create more PD resources that reflect the voices of the community at hand.

Released: February 27, 2024

Dr. Reversa Joseph is a Board-Certified Neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders and intraoperative monitoring. With a profound focus on treating patients with Parkinson’s disease, she employs a comprehensive and integrative approach. Dr. Joseph obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University, followed by her Medical Degree from Georgetown University. She completed her Neurology Residency training at Yale University and pursued fellowship training in Movement Disorders with a focus on Deep Brain Stimulation and Botulinum Toxin Therapy at Georgetown University.

Additionally, Dr. Joseph completed a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at the National Institutes of Health, where she specialized in intraoperative monitoring and autonomic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA.

Dr. Joseph initiated a Parkinson's Multidisciplinary Care Team at the VA to enhance the care provided to veterans with Parkinson's disease. Utilizing a Whole Health approach, she integrates various modalities to offer comprehensive care for patients with Neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Joseph is deeply committed to health equity and strives to eliminate health disparities in the care of patients with Parkinson's disease, reflecting her passion for ensuring all individuals receive equitable access to quality healthcare.
Hiral Shah, MD, is a Neurologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center for the last 16 years. She serves as the Medical Director of the Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence at CUIMC. She provides clinical care for individuals with neurological disorders, with a specific expertise in Movement disorders including Parkinson's disease as well as Functional Neurological Disorders. She has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization, has training as a Global Health and Aging Policy Fellow, Global Mental Health Scholar, and Community-based Participatory Research Scholar. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Young Onset Parkinson's Network. Her approach is to address the concerns of individuals and families in a holistic manner, including addressing the physical and mental aspects of their health condition. Her research focuses on attempting to identify and address the factors that contribute to stigma and isolation with respect to Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

She is the Founder of the PD Movers, a group of AA/Black individuals and care partners impacted by Parkinson's disease and has developed an educational book, The PD Movers (www.pdmovers.com, https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/patient-care/specialties/movement-disorders/pd-movers-we-keep-moving-storybook) that utilizes storytelling and illustrations to create heightened awareness of Parkinson's disease in communities of color, inspire individuals to use their voice to uplift their health, and create connection. This community-based approach to developing educational resources was highlighted in the following article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353802023010155.