Gov. Morrisey Unveils 'Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia' Initiative

Addressing West Virginia's Health Challenges

• ⚠️ West Virginia faces significant public health issues, ranking at the bottom for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and having one of the lowest life expectancies.
• 💡 Governor Morrisey expresses confidence in the state's power to enact change and lead by example to improve health outcomes.

Pillar 1: Cleaning Up School Food

• 🍎 Legislation has been passed to remove harmful dyes and dangerous additives from school nutritional programs, making West Virginia the first state to implement such changes.
• 🔬 These additives are linked to hyperactivity, learning challenges, and potentially cancer in children.
• 🌍 The governor hopes this initiative will spark a national discussion and lead to broader FDA action.

Pillar 2: Finding Purpose Through Work

• 🎯 The initiative aims to expand work, training, and educational requirements for SNAP recipients to boost workforce participation.
• 💪 Work is emphasized as beneficial for both mental and physical strength, with a focus on getting West Virginians back to work.

Pillar 3: Encouraging Physical Activity

• 🚶 A statewide movement called the 'Mountaineer Mile' challenges all West Virginians to walk at least one mile per day.
• 🏞️ Governor Morrisey plans to lead by example, increasing his own physical activity and promoting the state's parks.

Pillar 4: Rewarding Healthy Food Choices

• 🥕 The SNAP system will be realigned to incentivize healthy choices like fresh produce and lean meats over ultra-processed foods.
• 🥤 A waiver will be requested from the federal government to stop subsidizing soda under SNAP, redirecting funds towards nutritious options.
• 📊 The goal is to ensure taxpayer dollars fuel health rather than disease, making good food choices more accessible across all 55 counties.