Parkinson’s Disease: Risky Residency

Are there unusually many people suffering Parkinson’s in your zip code?

The answer might be yes, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open.

Because WHERE you live may be WHY you suffer Parkinson’s.

Researchers looked at data from over 6,000 people collected between 1998 and 2015.

They compared 346 Parkinson’s patients with 4,813 healthy people, measuring their exposure to air pollution over time.

Findings:

1. People living in areas with more air pollution had a 23% higher chance of getting Parkinson’s.

2. The link was strongest in cities, suggesting that pollution from traffic and factories is worse than natural sources like dust.

3. Higher levels of tiny air particles (PM2.5) increased the risk of a specific type of Parkinson’s by 36%.

4. Parkinson’s patients exposed to more air pollution were more likely to develop uncontrolled movements.

The study suggests that reducing air pollution could help prevent or manage Parkinson’s disease.

To protect yourself, try to avoid areas with heavy traffic and consider using an air purifier at home, especially if you live in a polluted area.