This pilot cohort aims to gather data on demographics, healthcare access and barriers to research participation in AA, NHPI and white populations, assessing feasibility for future studies.

Most Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been conducted in predominantly white population, with a longstanding paucity of data in Asian Americans (AA) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NHPI). 

This study recruited AA, NHPI, and white patients with PD in Hawaii. Participants completed surveys at baseline and six months, assessing quality of life, healthcare services, and attitudes toward research. 

A total of 79 participants were recruited (AA=27, NHPI=26, White=26), and baseline data were analyzed for 78 participants (one drop out). The mean age of entry was 67.4 ± 14.1 for AA, 68.1 ± 9.1 for NHPI, and 69.3 ± 7.2 for white participants. No significant differences were found in gender (male) distribution (53.8%, 61.6 %, 64.0%; p<0.8194), state area deprivation index (ADI) scores (4.0 ± 2.6, 5.2 ± 3.0, 4.7 ± 2.9; p<0.3696), national ADI scores (8.2 ± 6.7, 15.0 ± 17.8, 8.4± 5.0), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8) scores (7.2 ± 5.8, 7.2 ± 5.6, 7.4 ± 5.1; p<0.9797), or attitudes toward research participation (88.5%, 73.1%, 92.0% willingness to participate, respectively; p<0.2283) 

This is the first pilot study focusing on the NHPI PD population, and our recruitment efforts were successful. Although our sample size was small and no statistically significant differences were observed in baseline socioeconomic characteristics between NHPI, AA, and White populations, there was a trend towards higher ADI scores both at the state level and national levels for NHPI (higher score indicates socioeconomic disadvantage). Comprehensive data analysis will be conducted upon study completion.  Larger future studies are needed to include diverse PD populations, particularly NHPI patients, to better understand disparities in healthcare and disease outcomes.