A Conversation with Dr. Ray Dorsey: Ending Parkinson’s Disease and the Urgency of Action

* Ray Dorsey: https://www.michaeljfox.org/researcher/ray-dorsey-md-mba * Ending Parkins's Book: https://endingpd.org/ Our team had the privilege of hosting Dr. Ray Dorsey, renowned neurologist, advocate, and co-author of the book Ending Parkinson's Disease: A Prescription for Action, for a thought-provoking presentation on the global Parkinson’s crisis and the urgent need for change. The May 2023 call was introduced by our inaugural Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ira Shoulson, a longtime leader in neurology and public health. Dr. Dorsey’s presentation drew from his book and decades of clinical and research experience. He underscored the avoidable environmental and occupational drivers of Parkinson’s disease, including pesticide exposure and industrial pollutants, and called for a prevention-first, patient-centered approach. His message was clear: Parkinson’s is preventable. And now is the time to act. Throughout the session, Dr. Dorsey emphasized the need for accessible diagnostics, community-based support, and innovation in disease monitoring. His call to “end Parkinson’s” is not merely aspirational; it is actionable, urgent, and rooted in a powerful blend of science, advocacy, and public health policy. We are grateful to Dr. Dorsey for inspiring our team and reaffirming our shared mission to improve outcomes for people living with neurodegenerative diseases through the advancement of digital tools that support earlier detection, broader access, and more objective tracking of neurological health. For those who haven’t yet read it, Ending Parkinson’s Disease is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and families alike, call to eliminate the world’s fastest-growing brain disease.