Road Traffic Noise Linked to Increased Parkinson's Risk in Large Danish Study
On July 20, JAMA Neurology published a significant study showing a steady link between long-term exposure to traffic noise and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Researchers tracked the health of 3.1 million Danes aged 40 and older over 18 years, using data from the Danish National Patient Register alongside estimated traffic noise levels at their homes. Around 20,600 people were diagnosed with Parkinson's during this time. For every 11.5-decibel increase in noise on the most affected side of a house, the risk rose by 3%, and by 4% for every 9-decibel increase on the quieter side. Thomas Münzel, a co-author, noted that chronic noise is a new factor in Parkinson's studies, highlighting the need for quieter living spaces to mitigate these risks.
Key facts
- Study published in JAMA Neurology on July 20
- 3.1 million Danish participants aged 40+ followed for 18 years
- Nearly 20,600 developed Parkinson's between 2000 and 2017
- Every 11.5-dB increase on most exposed facade raised risk by 3%
- Every 9-dB increase on least exposed side raised risk by 4%
- 10-dB difference between sides mitigated risk
- Link consistent across demographics and socioeconomic factors
- One in five Europeans exposed to harmful traffic noise
Entities
Institutions
- University Medical Center Mainz
- University of Santiago de Compostela
- University of Leicester
- JAMA Neurology
- Danish National Patient Register
- Science Media Centre Spain
- Guardian
Locations
- Denmark
- Germany
- Spain
- England
- Europe