In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Deborah Swerdlow, Head of Policy at the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Ken Chason, a dedicated patient advocate and member of the Foundation’s Patient Policy Advisory Council (PPAC), for a timely and insightful conversation on the future of Parkinson’s policy.

Together, we explore the most pressing policy challenges impacting the Parkinson’s community today, from access to care and affordability of treatments to the need for increased research funding and stronger support systems for patients and caregivers. Deborah shares an inside look at how policy priorities are shaped at the Foundation, while Ken brings a powerful, lived-experience perspective on why patient voices must remain central to policymaking.

We also dive into what needs to happen next at both the state and federal levels to drive meaningful change, highlighting opportunities for advocacy and ways listeners can get involved.

Whether you’re living with Parkinson’s, caring for someone who is, or working in healthcare, policy, or advocacy, this episode offers valuable insights into how policy decisions shape real-world outcomes, and how you can be part of the solution.

More information for on the Parkinson’s Foundation’s policy work can be found here: https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help/policy-advocacy-priorities

In this episode of our Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Rep. Hogan of Pennsylvania to discuss HB1135, a bill aimed at prohibiting the use of paraquat, a widely debated herbicide linked to increased Parkinson’s risk.

We explore the science behind paraquat, why this legislation matters for public health, and how advocates and constituents can effectively mobilize support. Rep. Hogan shares insights on the policymaking process and practical ways listeners can get involved in pushing for meaningful change.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Geoff Horsfield, Legislative Director at the Environmental Working Group. Together, we explore the herbicide paraquat and its emerging connection to Parkinson’s Disease.

Geoff breaks down the latest policy developments, the science behind paraquat exposure, and why this issue is gaining national attention. We also discuss what constituents can do to advocate for change, including practical strategies for engaging with lawmakers and making their voices heard.

Whether you're directly impacted by Parkinson’s or interested in environmental health policy, this episode provides actionable insights and guidance on how to drive meaningful advocacy.

Contact geoff.horsfield@ewg.org to get involved or ask questions

The Paraquat Resource Library that the EWG has put together:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N3W5H9vpUvpFtk6iLmdwfcJ5xroTJBiW_pr3LblsxVg/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7iu5y1z4k82f

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Senator Devlin Robinson about his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1158, legislation that seeks to ban the use of paraquat in Pennsylvania.

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide that has been increasingly linked to Parkinson’s disease through scientific research and legal cases. Senator Robinson shares the motivations behind introducing this bill, the challenges it faces in the legislative process, and what it could mean for both environmental safety and public health.

We also discuss:
• The growing body of evidence connecting paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s
• How state-level policy can influence national change
• What advocates and citizens can do to support safer alternatives

In this episode of Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Rep. Natalie Mihalek about her efforts to protect Pennsylvanians from toxic pesticide exposure. Rep. Mihalek is sponsoring a Pennsylvania House bill to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide that has been linked in research to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. She shares why she introduced the legislation, what it would mean for farmers and communities across the Commonwealth, and how state-level policy can play a critical role in reducing environmental risk factors tied to Parkinson’s.

Listen as we sit down with Dr. Walter Koroshetz, former Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We cover many diverse areas with Dr. Koroshetz including the alarming uptick in Parkinson’s diagnoses, the possibility of environmental causes, the origination of Parkinson’s in the gut, and, of course, Dr. Koroshetz shares his thoughts on Parkinson’s advocacy. He uses the passing of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s as a prime example of what advocacy is capable of doing and how it’s going to take the broad group, the National Plan Council, to continue to push this legislation into action.

Join us for our first episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast as we sit down with Representative Kyle Mullins (D-PA). Rep. Mullins shares his personal passion for fighting for those with neurodegenerative disorder and how he helped secure $5M in budgetary spending for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be spent on research grants for qualifying institutions. He also emphasizes how local, state, and federal advocacy can ultimately affect change for those living with neurological disorders. We are so grateful the Representative shared his time with us for this inaugural episode.

The Parkinson's Policy Podcast is here! Listen to George and Margaret in this introductory episode! Through this podcast, we hope to provide meaningful discussions with key stakeholders that ultimately initiate action and boost awareness. Only together can we power towards action.