Proximity to Golf Courses Associated with Increased Parkinson's Disease Risk

Recent research led by the Barrow Neurological Institute and Mayo Clinic has uncovered a significant link between living near golf courses and a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). Published in JAMA Network Open, the study indicates that residents who live within 1 to 2 miles of a golf course have nearly three times the odds of developing PD compared to those living farther away. The risk is especially prominent in regions with groundwater vulnerability, where potential groundwater contamination from pesticides used on golf courses may play a role.

The comprehensive population-based case-control study analyzed 419 PD cases and 5,113 matched controls from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, covering southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin between 1991 and 2015. Researchers assessed residential proximity using satellite imagery to map golf course boundaries and calculated distances to the nearest courses based on homeowners' addresses recorded up to three years before PD symptom onset.

The findings showed that living 1 to 2 miles from a golf course was associated with a 198% higher likelihood of PD, while those living 2 to 3 miles away faced a 121% increased risk. Interestingly, the risk diminishes with increasing distance, dropping by approximately 13% for each additional mile beyond the 3-mile radius. Furthermore, residing within water service areas containing golf courses doubled the risk, regardless of actual proximity, pointing toward environmental contamination as a possible contributor.

The study also examined municipal well water and groundwater vulnerability, noting that groundwater susceptibility—based on soil and geology—may facilitate pesticide infiltration. Though factors like well depth and proximity did not significantly alter risk, those relying on private wells still exhibited an increased PD risk, albeit lower than municipal well users.

Given the widespread pesticide use on golf courses in the United States, these findings raise concerns about environmental exposure pathways, particularly groundwater contamination, which may influence neurodegenerative disease risk. Strategies for monitoring and regulating pesticide application and groundwater safety in vulnerable regions could help mitigate potential health impacts.

This study underscores the importance of environmental health considerations in PD risk factors and highlights the need for protective measures to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals associated with golf course maintenance.