A shocking new study reveals that living within a mile of a golf course could more than double your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The culprit? Pesticides used to maintain those pristine greens.
Key Findings from the Study:
🔹 126% higher risk of Parkinson’s for those living within 1 mile of a golf course.
🔹 Risk decreases with distance—those 6+ miles away had the lowest odds.
🔹 Shared water sources with golf courses nearly doubled the danger.
Published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), the research analyzed Parkinson’s cases in 27 counties across Wisconsin and Minnesota, linking proximity to golf courses with higher disease rates.
Why Are Golf Courses a Risk?
Golf courses use heavy pesticides—up to 15 times more than European standards—to keep grass perfectly manicured. These chemicals can seep into groundwater, contaminating nearby homes’ water supplies.
Previous studies have already tied pesticide exposure to Parkinson’s, a degenerative brain disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, and mobility loss. While treatments exist, there’s no cure.
Alarming Parkinson’s Statistics in the U.S.
✔ 90,000 Americans are diagnosed yearly.
✔ By 2030, 1.2 million will live with the disease. (Parkinson’s Foundation)
What Can You Do?
If you live near a golf course:
✅ Test your water for pesticide contamination.
✅ Use a high-quality water filter (activated carbon or reverse osmosis).
✅ Advocate for safer, organic golf course maintenance in your community.
The takeaway? Distance matters. If you’re house-hunting or concerned about long-term health risks, this study gives you one more factor to consider.
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