KINGWOOD, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey came to Kingwood Monday to announce the latest Rural Local Health Challenge. This $3.4 million challenge is an investment in the lives of residents and ultimately the state economy.
The governor cited the workforce participation rate of 54.3 percent, lagging behind the national average of 62 percent. This program will offer incentives to lead a healthy lifestyle, and the governor believes it addresses the workforce participation rate by encouraging new people to move to the state and help current residents improve their health in order to reenter the workforce.
“West Virginia is truly at a crossroads and we have one of those unprecedented opportunities the state hasn’t seen in a long time,” Morrisey said.
Positive impact of the program rests with getting people moving, according to Governor Morrisey. The Personal Health Accelerator will help residents understand critical lifestyle components like being active and the negative effects things like smoking can have on your overall health.
“And really to engage in “needle moving” activity to be able to make sure people are getting back into the workforce,” Morrisey said. “And they’re getting back into the workforce because they are healthier and they are living more purposeful lives.”
The Connected Care Grid, Smart Care Catalyst, and the Rural Health Link are three parts of the program that are expected to expand services into rural areas and improve outcomes. The program also addresses potential workers who are prevented from entering the workforce due to addiction or chronic illness.
“We invest strategically, and we listen to the people on the ground who know their communities best,” Vandalia Health CEO Jeff Sandene said. “This new round of funding will accelerate that progress and help providers expand services and strengthen care coordination to improve outcomes for thousands of West Virginians.”
State Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said nonprofit and for-profit organizations, employers, and other community partners, including churches, could engage residents through unique, community-based approaches.
“Residents could potentially earn rewards for healthy behaviors,” Dr. Singh said. “They could do daily Mountaineer Miles, they could attend their primary care or wellness visit or manage and improve chronic conditions like diabetes.”
Singh said the county-level challenges could evolve into statewide competitions that could include incentive awards. The program will encourage people at all levels and abilities to do what they can to improve their health and well-being.
“Employers could form teams that could compete against each other to improve overall county health,” Singh said. ”
With this announcement, total funding opportunities and implementation initiatives announced under the program now exceed $65 million.