What policy changes at the state and federal level do you believe would have the greatest impact on improving access, uh, for care and support services for those individuals living with Parkinson today?

Yeah, I think there's a huge, huge area for, for impact in, in that area.

Um, I think a lot of people aren't getting diagnosed, are taking months and sometimes years to get diagnosed with Parkinson's after they start having symptoms, um, because that, that stereotype is still out there, that it's an older m- man's disease.

And so people who don't fit that stereotype are taking a lot longer to get diagnosed and to begin treatment.

And so I think one of the biggest, highest impact things that we could do is to really work towards educating our primary care physicians and nurse practitioners more about Parkinson's, how to recognize it early, and that what the guidelines are currently are as st- far as starting treatment and medication early.

Right now, somebody gets diagnosed, you're, there's, you know, if their primary care phys- pr- physician or nurse practitioner or PA sus- suspects something, they'll refer that person to a neurologist, and then they'll, you know, they'll wait six months maybe to see the neurologist, and then, oh, yes, you, it looks like you have Parkinson's, but let's send you to the movement disorder specialist.

Another few months go by.

Um, Sarah, I wanted to ask, given your experience in military medicine and of course as an endurance athlete, what policy reforms do you believe are needed, uh, to improve access to early diagnosis as we discuss specialized care and supportive services for Parkinson's patients across diverse populations, including veterans?