(formerly known as the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition)

In 2003 the West Virginia Medical Foundation received a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to convene a statewide coalition comprised of business, education, healthcare, non-profit and government organizations to develop a collaborative effort to address the problem of obesity in the state.  The group, called the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, compiled an action plan that is available at www.HealthyWV.com.  The group also provided policy recommendations to Governor Joe Manchin III that were incorporated into the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Act of 2005.  This legislation established an Office of Healthy Lifestyles and a 13-member Coalition named the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition that is chaired by First Lady Gayle Manchin.  Because the legislation called for the establishment of a West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, the original coalition changed its name to the Partnership for a Healthy West Virginia.  The West Virginia Medical Foundation continues to facilite the work of the Partnership for a Healthy West Virginia.  For more information, click here.