Parkinson's advocate says neurodegenerative disease risk remains unexplained as father's Parkinson's after career as plumber showed environmental causes demanded urgent research

Michael J Fox Foundation Akbar Gbajabiamila says at a news conference to introduce the HEALTHY BRAINS Act that while research showed 30% of neurodegenerative disease risk related to genetics, the remaining 70% remained unknown and the Healthy Brains Act could help answer those environmental questions, and he shared the personal story of his father, a plumber who developed Parkinson's despite never taking the kind of hits he took as an NFL player, describing the guilt he initially felt as a son wondering if his father was faking before realizing there was simply not enough education or information about the disease, and thanking the Michael J. Fox Foundation for the impact it made on Parkinson's research.
Michael J Fox Foundation Akbar Gbajabiamila says at a news conference to introduce the HEALTHY BRAINS Act that while research showed 30% of neurodegenerative disease risk related to genetics, the remaining 70% remained unknown and the Healthy Brains Act could help answer those environmental questions, and he shared the personal story of his father, a plumber who developed Parkinson's despite never taking the kind of hits he took as an NFL player, describing the guilt he initially felt as a son wondering if his father was faking before realizing there was simply not enough education or information about the disease, and thanking the Michael J. Fox Foundation for the impact it made on Parkinson's research.
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Editorial Use only. May not be used as partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the candidacy of any person for elective public office, and may not be used to distort the objects and purposes of the hearing or cast discredit or dishonor any member of the House or bring the House or any Member into disrepute. Contact your local office for all commercial or promotional uses.
Credit:
FedNet / Getty Images
Editorial #:
2265103702
Collection:
FedNet
Date created:
March 05, 2026
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Rights-ready
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Not released. More information
Clip length:
00:01:37:08
Location:
Washington, DC, United States
Mastered to:
MPEG-4 8-bit H.264 HD 1920x1080 29.97p
Source:
FedNet
Object name:
hpr030526bd