University of Otago researchers have secured funding from The Michael J.Fox Foundation, to delve into what Parkinson’s looks like for Māori and Pacific, and how to improve the quality of care for those affected.
The grant, valued at $504,000, is the largest ever sum the MJFF has given the University of Otago, and is from the Foundation’s research efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in Parkinson’s disease research.
The three-year project will help to understand the progression of motor and non-motor symptoms and functional mobility of Parkinson’s disease in Māori and Pacific peoples.
Dr Paulo Henrique Silva Pelicioni from the department of Physiotherapy says, “the aim of the study is to improve the quality of life for Māori and Pacific people living with the disease.”
“This research is important because if we don’t understand how the disease progresses in Māori and Pacific populations, it will be very hard to provide the right services for them,” says Dr. Pelicioni. “Once we find this out, we can move onto what we can do next.”
Consultation with Māori and Pacific peoples has driven the nature of this research, which focuses on culturally-relevant and culturally-benefitting practices.
For this, School of Physiotherapy Professional Practice Fellow Katrina Bryant, whose research focuses on Kaupapa Māori, and Associate Dean Pacific Dr Xaviour Walker from the Otago Medical School, will advise in Māori and Pacific health respectively.
Māori and Pacific student researchers and research assistants have been sought to undertake aspects of the project.
The research involves working with both Māori and Pacific communities, identifying the specific experiences of living with Parkinson’s disease within each community.
