Episode Details

In this powerful episode of the Parkinson's Policy Podcast, hosts Margaret Preston and George Ackerman sit down with two of the world’s foremost neurologists and advocates, Dr. Michael S. Okun and Dr. Ray Dorsey, co-authors of Ending Parkinson's Disease and The Parkinson's Plan.

Parkinson’s is currently the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder; a rapid rise driven not primarily by genetics or aging, but by widespread exposure to environmental toxicants. In this conversation, Drs. Okun and Dorsey unpack:

• The Invisible Culprits: How pervasive environmental chemicals, such as the pesticide paraquat, the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE), and airborne pollutants, silently damage brain cells and elevate Parkinson’s risk.
• The Legislative & Advocacy Agenda: Why immediate policy action, federal (and state) chemical bans, EPA accountability, and increased NIH research funding are critical to curbing the epidemic.
• Empowered Action: Practical, daily steps individuals and communities can take to reduce exposure through water filtration, safer produce, and cleaner air while demanding systemic change.

This urgent, eye-opening discussion serves as both a wake-up call and a actionable framework for policy leaders, advocates, and families working toward a world where Parkinson's disease is rare.