PROVIDING SUPPORT — Casey Peluso, the vice president of programs and outreach for the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, spoke about her organization’s work during Tuesday’s meeting of the Parkinson’s support group held at Our Place of Jefferson County Activity and Resource Center. --Ross Gallabrese

STEUBENVILLE — Statistically, Parkinson’s disease affects 2% of people older than 65 in the United States.

If you live in the Tri-State Area, though, there’s more reason for awareness of the ailment that sees 90,000 new cases diagnosed in this country each year.

“This area, the Rust Belt, has one of the highest incidences of Parkinson’s in the United States,” said Casey Peluso. “There’s a genetic element, but that’s about 10% to 15%. The rest of the things are environmental factors. There’s agriculture, with pesticide use, and there also are areas where there is higher air pollution, as well as mines and steel mills. Those things are contributing factors, too.”

Peluso, the vice president of programs and outreach for the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Parkinson’s support group at the Our Place of Jefferson County Activity and Resource Center.

The local group has been meeting at the center, which is located inside First Westminster Presbyterian Church, for three years, explained Judy Owings, the center’s health educator. It’s an important offering, she said.

“This area and an area in California are the two areas of highest incidence in the United States,” Owings said.

Clinically, Parkinson’s is a progressive brain disorder caused by the loss of dopamine nerve cells in the brain. That leads to the movement problems associated with the disease. There’s also a loss of norepinephrine, which is linked to the nonmovement part of the disease.

“Our mission is to provide programs and services for anyone who has Parkinson’s, their family, their friends and their supporters,” said Peluso, who has been with the foundation for 10 years. “We do that by linking people with resources, educating them about Parkinson’s directly and helping support to support groups.”

The group at Our Place meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the church, which is located at 235 N. Fourth St. It’s one of about 40 spread throughout the Tri-State Area. For information, contact Owings at (740) 520-0120.

Another area support group has just launched in Wheeling. It meets at 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Friday of each month at Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley, 2200 Main St. for information about that group, call Paula Calvert at (304) 233-2350 or Ann Koegler at (304) 280-8701.

Virtual support groups also are available, Peluso added.

“The other areas of focus are the exercise classes since exercise is the best way to manage Parkinson’s, in addition to the medications. So, it’s seeing the specialist, having the support groups and exercise,” she added.

Among those opportunities for exercise is the Box Out Parkinson’s Program Our Place sponsors at the YMCA Wellness Center at the St. John Arena. Sessions are held between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Owings explained. The program, according to a brochure, features work that helps improve balance, improve coordination and posture and build strength and muscle. It includes vocal exercises and group work that focuses on socialization and community.

The first eight sessions are free, Owings said. Registration is available by calling (740) 264-7183.

“The foundation also partners with organizations regarding research,” Peluso added.

That includes the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The goal of the organization, which was founded by the actor, author and advocate who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at the age of 29, is simply to eliminate Parkinson’s disease in our lifetime.

“We’re doing a little bit more in terms of advocacy because it’s important we get the word out and let legislators know,” Peluso added. “The area of advocacy we are most focused on right now is getting the herbicide paraquat banned. There was an effort to get it banned nationally, but that hasn’t happened yet, so we’re trying to make Pennsylvania the first state to do that, but I think Ohio would be right around the corner.”

Paraquat has been linked to Parkinson’s by decades of scientific research, according to the Fox foundation.

Peluso said even though the regional foundation, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, has Western Pennsylvania in its name, it provides services to the Tri-State Area.

She added it supports programs, webinars and events during the year, with one of its biggest scheduled for April 18. That’s when its Living Well Conference will be held at the UPMC Events Center on the campus of Robert Morris University in Moon Township. Set to run from 8:30 a.m. through 2 p.m., the day will include sessions on nutrition, updates on Parkinson’s research, sessions for caregivers and a panel of medical experts.

The cost is $35, Peluso said, adding scholarships are available. Ticket information will be available at pfwpa.org. Owings said she plans to attend with members of the local support group.