What! Living near this type of playground can cause Parkinson's disease?

A new study has raised serious concerns about a hidden health risk lurking in some of the country’s most scenic neighborhoods, golf courses. According to research published in JAMA Network Open, living within a mile of a golf course could increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by a staggering 126%. The culprit behind this troubling connection? Pesticides.

The 24-year study, conducted by researchers at the Barrow Neurological Institute, analyzed Parkinson’s disease cases in Olmsted County, Minnesota. By mapping patient addresses alongside 139 golf courses in the area, the researchers discovered a clear trend: the closer someone lived to a golf course, the higher their chances of being diagnosed with the disease.

But the danger isn’t limited to airborne pesticide exposure. The study also found that people who rely on groundwater near golf courses for their tap water are at significantly greater risk. Residents in “vulnerable groundwater regions” where porous bedrock allows rainwater to carry chemicals into water sources face nearly double the risk of developing Parkinson’s.

“This isn’t about golf,” said Dr. Michael Okun, national medical adviser for the Parkinson’s Foundation. “It’s about pesticides, environmental exposures, and preventable risks hiding in plain sight.”

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, speech, and cognition. It currently impacts over one million Americans and nearly 12 million people worldwide, and the numbers are rising fast. As Dr. Okun pointed out, “Parkinson’s cases are exploding. Despite this, only 2 to 3 cents of every Parkinson’s dollar is spent on prevention. That has to change.”

Environmental exposure to pesticides like paraquat and rotenone, commonly used to maintain the pristine lawns of golf courses is becoming an increasingly recognized risk factor for Parkinson’s. These chemicals have already been shown in animal studies to induce symptoms similar to the disease. Compared to European countries, golf courses in the U.S. are estimated to use up to 15 times more pesticides.

The study’s findings are especially concerning given how many people live near golf courses, often drawn by the tranquil atmosphere and green surroundings. But these “green” spaces may be masking toxic hazards. While genetics plays a role in Parkinson’s, growing evidence points to environmental triggers like pesticide exposure as significant contributors to the disease’s spread.

Although the study doesn’t suggest people move away from golf courses, it underscores the urgent need for policy changes. Experts recommend that cities and states implement stricter regulations on chemical usage near residential zones and invest in better water treatment systems in vulnerable areas.

Residents living near golf courses are encouraged to contact local environmental health agencies to learn more about pesticide use transparency and groundwater safety measures. As Dr. Okun emphasized, this research should serve as a serious wake-up call: “Prevention has to be part of the plan.”