Brain diseases are now the world’s leading source of disability. One of the most debilitating, Parkinson’s disease, is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Over the past 25 years, the number of people with the condition has jumped from 3 million to over 6 million. By 2040, it will likely double again. In addition to impacting millions of lives and livelihoods, Parkinson’s is poised to crush our healthcare system and our economy. This, while harmful pesticides and other toxic chemicals that contribute to Parkinson’s surround us, disproportionally affecting our farmers, our veterans, and even those in Silicon Valley. The most effective treatment is now a half century old, yet research funding stagnates. In short, we’re failing to stop a runaway train. As we confront this coming wave of Parkinson’s disease—one of the great health challenges of our time—we must turn to recent public health crises such as polio and AIDS, and what we can learn from them. In that same vein, we must look at what the global effort to address COVID-19 has taught us about how to martial scientific and financial resources to halt the insidious spread of a pandemic, because Parkinson’s disease is fast on its way to becoming a pandemic—one that, if left unaddressed, will persist long after COVID-19 disappears.