The Parkinson’s Plan: A Clear Path Forward for Prevention and Treatment

A new book, The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment by Drs Ray Dorsey and Michael Okun, has been released and is already making headlines. This evidence-based guide argues that most cases of Parkinson’s are preventable and outlines practical steps to reduce risk and improve care. The authors introduce the “Parkinson’s 25,” a comprehensive checklist designed to help people and policymakers take action on environmental and lifestyle factors that influence Parkinson’s risk. The book also calls for systemic changes in research funding and public health policy to curb the fastest-growing neurological condition worldwide.

CNN’s Chasing Life podcast recently featured Dr Michael Okun and Dr Sanjay Gupta discussing why Parkinson’s is more than a brain disease. They explored how environmental toxins, air quality, and water safety contribute to risk, and why policy changes are essential to prevention. The conversation reinforces the book’s message: prevention is possible, but it requires coordinated action across healthcare, government, and community sectors.

👉 Listen to the full episode here: CNN Chasing Life – A New Understanding of Parkinson’s

Key Takeaways from The Parkinson’s Plan

  • The Parkinson’s 25
    A checklist of 25 actions each of us and our communities can take to reduce risk, including limiting exposure to pesticides, improving air and water quality, and promoting physical activity.
  • What you can do today, from Dr Okun (from the CNN transcript)

    • A couple of the things that you can do proactively is make sure you have a water filter, a carbon water filter, especially if you can’t afford or your county won’t test your water. Carbon water filter is so important to prevention of disease.

    • Second, if you live in an urban area or your air quality is poor, make sure that you have an air purifier in your home and in your office. Really easy way to clean out those particles that you’re gonna be breathing in. Remember the nose is the gateway to the brain.

    • And then when it comes to thinking about pesticides, just at least wash your vegetables and your food copiously and remember that when things come off of farms, that the pesticides are on there to help that crop to grow, but you don’t want to put that into your body.

  • Policy Priorities
    • Ban harmful chemicals linked to Parkinson’s.
    • Strengthen environmental regulations to reduce toxin exposure.
    • Increase federal funding for prevention research and early detection.
    • Expand access to a multidisciplinary care team for people living with Parkinson’s.
  • Call to Action
    The authors stress that prevention is achievable if governments, health systems, and communities act now. Collaboration across sectors is essential to slow the growth of Parkinson’s worldwide.

You can purchase the book online or request that your library get it in.

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