Tackling Underrepresentation to Aid Understanding of Parkinson’s Disease: Progress and Further Opportunities

The document discusses the underrepresentation in Parkinson's Disease (PD) research, particularly in low and low-middle income countries and among minoritized ethnic groups. It highlights that most PD research has been conducted on individuals of European ancestry, leading to a biased understanding of the disease's genetic basis, environmental risk factors, and clinical manifestations. The document emphasizes the need for more inclusive research to better understand PD, which is increasingly becoming a leading global cause of death and disability. It mentions several initiatives aimed at addressing these gaps, such as the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), the Latin American Research Consortium on the Genetics of PD (LARGE-PD), and the International Parkinson’s disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC) Africa project. The document also discusses the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusivity in research leadership and the role of research funders in advancing these principles. It concludes that increasing representation in research is crucial for a better understanding of PD and the development of effective treatments.