Charleston, W.Va. — In an effort to combat the state’s alarming obesity rates, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) has introduced a new public health initiative featuring mobile teaching kitchens. These “clinics on wheels,” operated by the nonprofit West Virginia Health Right, will travel across the state to provide residents with healthy cooking demonstrations, nutritional guidance, and basic health screenings.
The program is part of Governor Morrisey’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) campaign, which aims to reverse high rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke, and other chronic health issues in West Virginia.
“Here in West Virginia, we’re trying to make our state healthy again,” said Morrisey during a Wednesday appearance on Fox & Friends First. “We’ve led in too many negative health categories, and it’s time to change that.”
West Virginia currently holds the highest childhood obesity rate in the nation at over 42%, according to the State of Childhood Obesity organization. In response, the governor has prioritized grassroots health education, including opening the governor’s mansion to families to learn how to prepare affordable, nutritious meals.
“People came by and learned you can eat healthily without breaking the bank,” Morrisey said. “It’s not that hard to cook good food that also tastes great.”
The mobile kitchens are one part of Morrisey’s four-pillar health strategy for the state, which includes: improving food quality, encouraging physical activity, promoting purpose-driven living, and rewarding healthy choices.
To support physical fitness, the state plans to designate “Mountaineer Mile” trails within West Virginia’s 32 state parks to encourage walking and outdoor activity. Morrisey said he leads by example, aiming for 10,000 steps a day.
“You’re taking the junk out of food, encouraging people to move, and making sure they live with purpose,” Morrisey said. “We’re showing people that a healthier life is possible—one step and one bite at a time.”
The initiative reflects a growing trend of localized, hands-on approaches to public health, particularly in regions with high rates of chronic illness.
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