Spotlight|July 2, 2026

Read the feature at the Tampa Bay Times

Student reporters at the WUFT Environment & Ag Desk at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications are drawing national attention to the growing link between environmental chemical exposures and Parkinson’s disease through “Poisoned Pathways,” an investigative reporting project supported by the Pulitzer Center. In a recent feature, Kairi Lowery examined mounting scientific evidence suggesting that pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other environmental exposures may help explain the rapid growth of Parkinson’s disease, now considered the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder.

For the piece, Lowery spoke with leading neurologists and researchers, including University of Florida neurologist Dr. Michael Okun, who described Parkinson’s as a global “pandemic” and called for greater attention to potential environmental causes of the disease. The story also profiles individuals living with Parkinson’s whose experiences raise important questions about long-term exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Together, the reporting highlights a growing scientific debate over the role environmental factors may play in chronic disease and underscores the need for continued research into the root causes of neurological disorders.

End Chronic Disease CEO Kelly McKenna has been vocal on this topic as well. She joined “The News Blitz with Randy Wang” on 790 KABC to discuss growing concerns around pesticide exposure and chronic disease risk. During the conversation, she highlighted that Parkinson’s disease is now considered the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder, and cited recent research, including findings published in The Lancet, identifying environmental contributors such as paraquat exposure as important areas of concern.

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