Is the rising incidence of Parkinson’s disease connected to the chemicals in our environment? In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with the renowned Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta, Professor of Environmental Medicine, Pediatrics, and Neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Cory-Slechta breaks down decades of pioneering research into how environmental exposures including agricultural pesticides like Paraquat, industrial solvents, heavy metals, and fine particulate air pollution impact dopamine neurons and elevate the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss critical gaps in regulatory policy, environmental justice concerns, and actionable steps needed to protect public health.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer O’Mara (PA HD-165) to explore key policy pathways for supporting the Parkinson’s community. From capitol halls to local communities, we examine how legislative action can transform research and expand healthcare access. We discuss how lawmakers can build cross-party coalitions to prioritize sustained funding for Parkinson’s research, caregiver support, and community services. We also chat about specific policy tools and state-level strategies Pennsylvania can leverage to ensure equitable access to specialist care, movement disorder neurologists, and telehealth services across both rural regions and urban centers.

In this powerful episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we are joined by Pennsylvania State Representative Valerie Gaydos. Rep. Gaydos brings a deeply personal perspective to health policy: her late mother, Martha, battled Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. Today, Rep. Gaydos is channeling that experience into legislative leadership as a strong voice in the push to ban paraquat, a toxic herbicide linked by scientific research to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

We dive into how state-level policies can address environmental risk factors, how lawmakers and advocacy organizations can build effective coalitions, and what everyday constituents can do to move the needle toward better care and an eventual cure.

In this episode of the Parkinson's Policy Podcast, we sit down with two incredible leaders from the Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance (PMD Alliance): Dr. Kelly Papesh (Clinical Director) and Rebecca Korduner (Chief Strategy Officer & Deputy CEO).

PMD Alliance is shaking up how we think about movement disorders by focusing on the entire ecosystem: patients, care partners, and medical professionals alike. Join us as we dive into how PMD Alliance ensures advocacy efforts reflect diverse patient experiences across age, race, and geography, and the major policy and advocacy shifts needed to improve quality of life for the movement disorder community.

Whether you are a person living with Parkinson's, a care partner, or a healthcare provider, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the future of care and community support.

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.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud (District 38) to discuss a massive, historic legislative victory for the neurodegenerative disease community.

Senator Calatayud championed SB 1800 (The Parkinson's Disease Research Act), a landmark piece of legislation that passed alongside its companion House bill to officially establish the Consortium for Parkinson's Disease Research within the University of South Florida.

This historic package brings together public and private state universities, researchers, and academic medical centers into a collaborative powerhouse. By pooling resources and medical expertise, Florida is firmly establishing itself as a premier national hub for neurodegenerative health, innovative therapies, and the ongoing fight for a cure.

In this episode, we discuss:
- The inspiration behind SB 1800 and what it took to build bipartisan momentum.
- How the new Consortium will transform medical research, study genetic origins, and accelerate therapeutic treatments.
- The critical inclusion of research regarding Parkinson's prevalence among first responders.
- What this massive win means for Florida patients, caregivers, and the future of healthcare policy.

Connect with Senator Alexis Calatayud
- Website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/S38
- Instagram: @Alexis_Calatayud

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Jessi Keavney, a dedicated Parkinson's advocate and member of the National Council. Jessie shares her powerful perspective on the current landscape of policy advocacy, and the critical importance of community engagement in driving legislative change. Tune in to hear her insights on what the future holds for Parkinson's research, care access, and policy reform.

In this video, we cover:

- Jessie’s personal journey in carrying pathogenic Parkinson’s genes and her path to becoming a policy advocate.
- The current legislative priorities for the Parkinson's community.
- How individuals and families can get involved in advocacy and policy work.

The first ever meeting of the federal Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research, Care, and Services was recently held to guide the National Plan to End Parkinson's. The council's goals are to improve Parkinson's disease diagnosis, prevent the disease, and support care partners. Advocacy groups are pushing for fast action. We give our recap of this important discussion.