![\"Parkinson\u2019s](\"https:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Vegetation-469645243.jpg\")
You have probably been told that Parkinson\u2019s is a genetic disease that you cannot do much about.<\/p>\nYou have probably been told that Parkinson\u2019s is a genetic disease that you cannot do much about.<\/p>\n
A new study published in JAMA Network Open counters that opinion.<\/p>\n
It reveals a simple solution to Parkinson\u2019s disease found in your environment.<\/p>\n
A team led by researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health looked at information from over 62 million Medicare users who were 65 or older and resided in the contiguous United States.<\/p>\n
Between 2000 and 2016, around 1.2 million of them were hospitalized for Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The scientists used the subjects\u2019 zip codes to calculate their exposure to natural areas such as parks and streams and to vegetation such as grass, trees, and crops.<\/p>\n
Each zip code was rated from high to low on a vegetation index according to the percentages of park and water cover.<\/p>\n
Here are the details.<\/p>\n
2. For every point higher a zip code was on the index of park cover, the residents were 3% less likely to be hospitalized with Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n
3. Participants in zip codes with more than 1% water cover were 3% less likely to be hospitalized with Parkinson\u2019s.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
This means that natural spaces are protective against Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
So, why exactly are natural spaces protective against Parkinson\u2019s disease?<\/p>\n
The researchers offered some guesses.<\/p>\n
Natural spaces have lower amounts of air pollutants, they facilitate physical exercise, they help people engage in social activities, and they help reduce stress.<\/p>\n