Richard Huckabee, a public speaking professional, noticed a sudden yet persistent raspiness to his voice that strained to get out. Over the course of nearly a decade, though new health issues arose (slower body movements and body tightening), doctors were as dumbfounded as Huckabee.
Then, the breakthrough Huckabee needed came. But even that was painful.
“I was devastated. Nine years in and out of hospitals, doctors’ offices, emergency rooms and it took a neurologist 10 minutes to diagnose me with Parkinson’s disease (PD),” said Huckabee. “I was happy to know what I had, but also devastated to know what I had, and that it took so long.”
Huckabee, a Black man, symbolizes an all-too-familiar PD story. Black people are less likely to receive a diagnosis than white people. And if they are diagnosed, it’s usually when PD is at a later stage.
One barrier may be the fact that, unlike hypertension, breast cancer and prostate cancer (conditions known by members of the Black community to be dangers), PD exists in relative obscurity. Even though Rev. Jesse Jackson and the late Muhammad Ali were diagnosed with PD, it remains an under-the-radar health issue for Black people nationally.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
So, just what is PD?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing symptoms like tremor, muscle rigidity and a loss of spontaneous movement, per the World Health Organization.
“Our supports allow people living with Parkinson’s a safe place where they can talk about their symptoms or talk about their journey, and just build community.”
– Carrie Dugas
“Parkinson’s Disease is one of the most common and fastest growing neurological diseases here in the US and worldwide,” said Carrie Dugas of the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society (HAPS).
HAPS is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by PD.
PD is caused by a lack of the brain chemical dopamine, which is essential for smooth muscle coordination.
While there is no cure for PD, treatments like medication, therapies and surgery can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Impact on Black people
As with so many other health challenges, Parkinson’s has a racial component that will be to Black people’s detriment if ignored. Here are the sad realities:
- Lower diagnosis rates: Black individuals are less likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease compared to white Americans.
- Later diagnosis: When diagnosed, Black patients are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease.
- Limited access to specialists: There is a notable gap in care, with Black patients less likely to receive care from neurologists or movement disorder specialists.
- Suboptimal treatment: Black individuals with PD may receive less appropriate medications, dosages and fewer referrals for advanced therapies or rehabilitative services.
- Poorer outcomes: These disparities in care contribute to worse outcomes, including more severe disability, higher rates of dementia, poorer quality of life, and increased risk of death from the disease.
The factors contributing to Black people’s less-than-stellar experiences with PD mirror those of other health issues that find Black people heading the list of those suffering poorer outcomes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
These include underdiagnosis and under-reporting (including delays in diagnosis), racial biases that are found to be prevalent in non-Black doctors, healthcare access challenges (including limited access to insurance) and a lack of Black people represented in PD research.
Local PD efforts
JoeAnna “Mama Joe” Caldwell was a longtime Houston resident and central figure of a documentary shedding light on her challenges with Parkinson’s amid her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, My Mama Joe: Hope & Help. That documentary also highlighted the caregiving challenges in Black and Brown communities.
“It becomes your whole life,” said Caldwell’s daughter, Bonita Burkes. “I was working full-time, going to school and raising my kids, all while managing my mom’s medications and doctor visits. There was no time for me. You lose yourself in the process.”
In the Houston area, HAPS seeks to meet the needs of individuals with PD and their caregivers.
“Our goal is to make sure that when a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they know that we are here for them and that it’s just not an isolated and lonely road. So, our mission is to reduce the fear that’s associated with a diagnosis,” said Dugas. “We are the only organization here in Houston that is boots on the ground.
“We provide free services. Everything that we provide is free for our clients or for the Parkinson’s community.”
Dugas said HAPS services include educational programs, exercise classes, support groups, financial assistance, respite care and more, for individuals diagnosed with PD. HAPS also supports PD care partners (spouses, significant others and family) or caregivers.
“Our support allows people living with Parkinson’s a safe place where they can talk about their symptoms or talk about their journey, and just build community,” shared Dugas.
No official statistics are available regarding the number of Black people in Houston with PD, partly due to systemic disparities in diagnosis. However, data from a July 2025 NIH report on PD prevalence in Texas reported that the statewide “prevalence Rate” for Black people was 9.55 per 100,000 people. The report also stated that in 2022, there were 940 Black people in Texas diagnosed with PD.
Efforts to address disparities
To bridge the racial gaps regarding PD, the Parkinson’s Foundation launched Parkinson’s Journey in Color: Advancing Research and Care in Your Community. This initiative offers events tailored to meet local Black PD communities’ unique needs and experiences. Each event provides in-person genetic testing at no cost through the Foundation’s landmark genetics study, PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease.
A listing of virtual events can be found here: https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/events.
Closer to home, HAPS will host its Annual Gala on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Revaire (7122 Old Katy Road). As the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year, the gala’s proceeds directly support free programs and services for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their families across eight Houston-area counties.
“This gala embodies the heart of our mission,” said Executive Director Kathleen Crist.
“By coming together as a community, we not only raise essential funds but also create a space of compassion, optimism and connection for those living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones,” stated Gala Chairs Alicia and Henry Goodrow.
