April 16, 2026
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker, Daniel.hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov
Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts
Celebrate Physical Wellness Month
Take Steps to Be Your Healthiest Self
WISE, Va. – Spring has sprung and Physical Wellness Month offers the opportunity to plant seeds for better health. Your local health department encourages residents to prioritize their health in April.
“April is Physical Wellness Month, and it’s a reminder that taking care of our bodies doesn’t require a gym membership or a major lifestyle overhaul,” said Reisa Sloce, director Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “Here in our community, small, consistent steps—like walking more, choosing nourishing foods, and making time for rest—can have a powerful impact on our health. In rural areas especially, we know access can be a challenge, but we are blessed in southwest Virginia to have an abundance of beautiful trails and outdoor opportunities; wellness starts where you are, with what you have. This month, we encourage every resident to find simple, sustainable ways to move more and feel better—because a healthier community begins with each of us.”
Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Departments suggest two steps to be your healthiest self.
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Wellness is an active process of growth and change that involves choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. You can improve your health with these choices:
- Active Lifestyle: In Virginia, 9% adults reported that they had not participated in any physical activity in the past month. Physical activity improves brain health, cognition, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep. For your wellness, adults should get 150 minutes a week of moderate activity.
- Eat Nutritious Food: Good nutrition is key to growing healthy bodies and preventing disease. Only 7% of Virginia’s adults reported eating fruit at least twice a day. Your local health department can assist you in finding programs that focus on education and finding healthy affordable foods for your family.
- Avoid Tobacco Use: Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. The VDH Tobacco Use Data Dashboard shows 18.48% of residents living in the LENOWISCO Health District and 11.86% living in the Cumberland Plateau Health District were current smokers. In 2023, 6.67% of residents in LENOWISCO and 9.15% in Cumberland Plateau used smokeless tobacco and 9.40% in LENOWISCO and 5.60% in Cumberland Plateau used E-Cigarettes. Quitting smoking has health benefits at any age, no matter how long or how much you have smoked. Tobacco Cessation programs, like Quit Now Virginia and Vape Free VA help people live tobacco free.
Good health grows over time. To find out more about programs to prioritize your health, contact the Cumberland Plateau Health District at 276-889-7621 or the LENOWISCO Health District at 276-328-8000.