Dr Rich Morton Discusses Kilifi Prevalence Study on The MDS Podcast

In conversation with Dr Sara Schaefer, the MDS Congress 2026 Junior Award Winner highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease to help close the global diagnostic gap.

The episode explored the methodology behind the community-based study, which screened over 80,000 people using the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System. Dr Morton revealed that 84% of the individuals identified with Parkinson's were previously undiagnosed—highlighting how hospital-based studies can miss a vast number of people due to low community awareness, limited access to specialists, and pervasive stigma.

They also discussed the importance of community sensitization, the WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), and how robust epidemiological data can be used to lobby policymakers, raise awareness, and transform Parkinson’s care across sub-Saharan Africa.

Listen to the podcast here.

Last modified: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:28:31 BST