Living near golf courses may be associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. The research, led by Barrow Neurological Institute and Mayo Clinic researchers, found that residents living within 1 to 2 miles of a golf course had nearly triple the odds of developing PD. The study also identified a higher risk among those living in water service areas with golf courses located in regions susceptible to groundwater contamination.
Previous studies have suggested that environmental factors, such as pesticide exposure, may contribute to the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. In the United States, golf courses are treated with pesticides at levels up to 15 times higher than those in Europe, raising concerns about potential environmental contamination. Proximity to golf courses has been proposed as a possible risk factor for PD due to groundwater and drinking water contamination.
The study, titled “Proximity to Golf Courses and Risk of Parkinson Disease,” conducted a population-based case-control study to examine the relationship between living near golf courses and PD risk. The cohort included 419 PD cases and 5,113 matched controls identified through the Rochester Epidemiology Project, covering a 27-county region in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin from 1991 to 2015.
Researchers used address-level data to assess proximity to golf courses, mapping golf course boundaries using satellite imagery and linking them to participant addresses. They also categorized regions based on the presence of a golf course and defined susceptible areas for groundwater contamination using data from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
The study found that living within 1 to 2 miles of a golf course was associated with a 198% higher odds of PD, while those living 2 to 3 miles away had 121% higher odds. Risk decreased by approximately 13% per additional mile beyond 3 miles. Living in water service areas with a golf course was also linked to a 96% higher odds of PD.
Interestingly, individuals relying on private wells, although still at an increased risk, had a lower risk compared to municipal well users. The findings underscore the potential impact of pesticide exposure on neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the role of environmental susceptibility in exposure pathways.
The study’s implications suggest the need for evaluating pesticide application practices on golf courses and monitoring groundwater quality in vulnerable areas to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease in nearby populations. By implementing protective measures and preventive strategies, such as addressing pesticide use and monitoring groundwater contamination, public health officials can work towards mitigating the potential risks associated with living near golf courses.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the publication in JAMA Network Open by Brittany Krzyzanowski et al. (DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9198). This research sheds light on the potential risks of living near golf courses and the importance of considering environmental factors in assessing disease risk.
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