JAMA article: Proximity to Golf Course and Risk of Developing Parkinson's Disease

#1

Definitely looks like those that live near golf courses and get their drinking waters from wells in the area are at an increased risk of PD.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833716

Question Does living within proximity to a golf course affect the risk of Parkinson disease (PD)?

Findings This case-control study found the greatest risk of PD within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course, and that this risk generally decreased with distance. Effect sizes were largest in water service areas with a golf course in vulnerable groundwater regions.

Meaning These findings suggest that pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence PD for nearby residents.

Results A total of 419 incident PD cases were identified (median [IQR] age, 73 [65-80] years; 257 male [61.3%]) with 5113 matched controls (median [IQR] age, 72 [65-79] years; 3043 male [59.5%]; 4504 White [88.1%]). After adjusting for patient demographics and neighborhood characteristics, living within 1 mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing PD compared with individuals living more than 6 miles away from a golf course (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.26; 95% CI, 1.09-4.70). Individuals living within water service areas with a golf course had nearly double the odds of PD compared with individuals in water service areas without golf courses (aOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.20-3.23) and 49% greater odds compared with individuals with private wells (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05-2.13). Additionally, individuals living in water service areas with a golf course in vulnerable groundwater regions had 82% greater odds of developing PD compared with those in nonvulnerable groundwater regions (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.09-3.03).

Conclusions and Relevance In this population-based case-control study, the greatest risk of PD was found within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course and risk generally decreased with distance. Associations with the largest effect sizes were in water service areas with a golf course and in vulnerable ground water regions.

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#2

I read this while looking outside at the golf course… sigh…

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#3

Isn’t this like really old news? Hasn’t it been common knowledge since forever that golf courses are uber unhealthy because of all the pesticides and herbicides and chemicals they use prolifically? And since it’s well known that exposure to these causes PD, and rates are higher among farm workers and those who live nearby, this is rather in the ‘duh’ category. Of course a study is always good to validate.

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#4

My AI friend says golf courses are likely to be worse than grain farms, but the direct comparison has not been done. It doesn’t make sense to me since they start the year with sod and keep it mown down which discourages any weeds. I do nothing to my lawn. Mow every couple weeks. It looks ok, though brome pokes through the bluegrass. Bachelor neighbor turns the cows onto his lawn and it looks ok. They need it to be 100% perfect I suppose, so use everything every year whether they need it or not. Can’t you just say if you hit a dandylion that’s part of the game?

Point is grain farms start with bare ground and it takes awhile before the crop shades out the competition. Seems like we’d be worse.

#5

Didn’t realize moving out of the golf course retirement community would be good for me.