Associated Press Published

Religious Groups Tackle West Virginia Health Problems

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West Virginians from nine denominations will make a push next month to sign up hundreds of people in their campaign to improve people’s health.

The religious groups are working with Try This West Virginia, a statewide healthy community program. The WV Healthy Bodies Healthy Spirits network will launch the month of activity on Tuesday in the secretary of state’s conference room.

At the group’s request, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared March “Healthy Bodies Healthy Spirits Month.”

Catholic Charities West Virginia Director Mark Sliter said in a news release from the campaign that churches can work together to help change unhealthy habits and behaviors.

The Rev. Lynn Keener, a Nazarene pastor from Morgantown, said many problems in today’s world can’t be changed, but something can be done about the health of West Virginians.