“The seeds of Parkinson’s are planted early, so be really mindful of what your children and grandchildren are being exposed to today,” says Dr. Ray Dorsey, Director of the Center for the Brain & Environment at Atria Health and Research Institute. The distinguished neurologist backs up that warning in this revealing conversation on the Dwelling.Health Podcast with host Gurdane Bhutani by detailing how Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases are largely man made, driven by exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides, and pollutants that have quietly infiltrated daily life. Once considered a rare condition, Parkinson’s now affects six million people worldwide, a rise Dr. Dorsey links to solvents used in dry cleaning and degreasing that contaminate soil, water, and even the air inside homes. “We’re paying a really high price so our clothes don’t shrink,” he notes, pointing to evidence that these chemicals have been associated with cancer, leukemia, and brain disease. Dr. Dorsey also highlights studies showing increased Parkinson’s risk among those living near golf courses, superfund sites, and military bases, suggesting a pattern that extends far beyond individual habits. Yet, his message is not fatalistic. “It's only in the last 200 years that Parkinson’s disease has become common and there's no reason it needs to stay that way. We can say goodbye to the vast majority of Parkinson’s disease if we simply clean up our environment.” Tune in to learn what you can do to limit your exposure to the toxins involved, and the importance of pressing for stronger environmental protections. 

Mentioned in this episode: 
Atria Health and Research Institute

The Parkinson's Plan book

“Mother Nature is telling us she’s a little ticked off at us,” says former Governor and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman in the inaugural episode of the Dwelling.Health Podcast, as she describes constant evidence of climate change on her New Jersey farm and nationally. In this probing interview with host Dr. Shiv Gaglani, Whitman warns that recent rollbacks of federal environmental protections and weakened enforcement will only worsen extreme weather and environmental health impacts, which she says requires a response from all of us as individuals. “We’re the ones that can make the difference, but we have to be heard,” she adds, urging listeners to speak up, ask hard questions of elected officials, and hold agencies and utilities accountable. Individual, common sense action is also required to protect yourself and loved ones -- such as knowing what might be posing health threats to your home and community, and taking steps to reduce harm -- but Whitman stresses that personal vigilance should be seen as a complement to, not a substitute for, public policy. And stay tuned to learn how Whitman is helping to create a new approach to politics through her work with the Forward Party, a cross-partisan effort backing candidates who respect the rule of law, prioritize problem-solving over party and endorse the core principles of decency, diversity, and democracy. This is a great opportunity to hear from a leading voice who continues to shape the national conversation on sound environmental policy. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Whitman Strategy Group
Forward Party
www.dwelling.health