Try This West Virginia Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

We CAN Improve Health in Appalachia

West Virginia tops the list in many chronic diseases…but we CAN turn things around.

That’s the premise behind Try This, West Virginia. If you’re looking for a dose of hope, listen to this week’s podcast.

Here’s one example: childhood obesity rates in West Virginia have started to drop.

From running clubs to community gardens to bringing recess back, Try This co-director Kate Long gives us example after example of local projects that work.

Welcome to “The Front Porch,” where we tackle the tough issues facing Appalachia the same way you talk with your friends on the porch.

Hosts include WVPB Executive Director and recovering reporter Scott Finn; conservative lawyer, columnist and rabid “Sherlock” fan Laurie Lin; and liberal columnist and avid goat herder Rick Wilson, who works for the American Friends Service Committee.

An edited version of “The Front Porch” airs Fridays at 4:50 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio network, and the full version is available at wvpublic.org and as a podcast as well.

Share your opinions with us about these issues, and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in the future. Send a tweet to @radiofinn or @wvpublicnews, or e-mail S cott at sfinn @ wvpublic.org

The Front Porch is underwritten by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Charleston Gazette-Mail. Find the latest news, traffic and weather on its CGM App. Download it in your app store, and check out its website: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/

Try This Conference Attracts West Virginians Hoping for a Healthier State

West Virginia is one of the unhealthiest states in the country. The grassroots community health organization Try This West Virginia is hoping to change those statistics from the ground up.

Try This is having its third annual conference at West Virginia Wesleyan this weekend. The event includes breakout sessions, speakers and mingling opportunities for residents dedicated to turning around West Virginia’s health statistics.

Using the motto “It’s up to us,” over the past three years Try This groups have added bike lanes, started community gardens and have begun to build trails to increase healthy activity.

At the conference today and tomorrow, attendees will talk about ways to expand these efforts and participate in breakout sessions on topics such as “healthy food on a shoestring budget,” “healthy community equals economic development” and “stress reduction.”

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Religious Groups Tackle West Virginia Health Problems

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.