
Parkinson’s Disease Linked to Living Near Golf Courses—New Study
May 10, 2025 | Source: Newsweek | by Hollie Silverman
Researchers found that those living within a mile of golf courses have 126 percent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than those who live more than six miles away, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Newsweek has reached out to the Parkinson’s Foundation as well as the Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, researcher for the study, for comment.
Why It Matters
Areas that shared drinking water supplies with water used near golf courses were the most greatly impacted, the study shows. Researchers believe this shows that the pesticides used on golf courses could contribute to the amount of Parkinson’s cases.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease estimated to affect about 10 million people globally, and about 1.1 million people in the United States, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. There is no cure, but treatments are available.