Living near noisy traffic could increase Parkinson’s risk, study finds
A large-scale study of over three million Danish residents suggests a link between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Researchers believe chronic noise may trigger stress responses and sleep disruption, which negatively impact brain health.
Why it matters
This study highlights the potential public health impact of urban noise pollution and the importance of residential planning.
Living near noisy traffic could increase Parkinson’s risk, study finds Long-term exposure to road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk of Parkinson's disease, possibly due to sleep disruption and systemic stress, according to a new study.
Danish researchers analysed over three million residents to determine if persistent noise in different residential areas and positions increases the risk of this neurodegenerative disorder.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology , looked at over three million Danes between 2000 and 2017 who were at least 40 years old and free of Parkinson's disease at the start of the study.
For every rise of roughly 11 decibels (dB) in noise on the most exposed side of a home, the risk of Parkinson's disease increased by about 3%, the researchers found.
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