Local Statistics

Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 200 newly diagnosed patients each year in western Michigan area (Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Barry, and Ionia counties.)
Approximately 1% of people over the age of 60 and 2% of those over the age of 70 will be stricken with Parkinson’ disease, but the disease is not limited to the elderly.
15% of Parkinson’s patients are younger than 51 years, and 10% are under the age of 40.
55 out of every 100 Parkinson’s patients are men and 45 are women.
According to projections, based on expected population growth, by the year 2005, approximately 294 new cases will be diagnosed.
The progression of the disease from diagnosis to major disability occurs over a 10-20 year period. As the disease progresses, it becomes more complicated to treat medically, requiring close follow-up care and more complex drugs to manage the symptoms.