Parkinson's Disease

Frequently Asked Questions

3. Who gets Parkinson's disease?

About 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year. The disease strikes about 50 percent more men than women. The average age of onset is 60 years, and the risk of developing the disease goes up with age. Parkinson's disease is also more common in developed countries, possibly because of increased exposure to pesticides or other toxins.