R&B Regional Description Throughout the R&B Consortium the Coal Mining industry used to be the primary employer, but most mines have now closed. Now there are high rates of unemployment (higher than national and state average) and many of the jobs that are available are low paying services jobs catering to tourist visiting the New River Gorge National River and other recreational areas. In our region, one in four residents ( and one in three children) live at or below poverty level, When compared to the national rates, residents of our area have higher rates of heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, unintended injuries, sedentary life styles, smoking and smokeless tobacco use, seat-belt nonuse, and vehicle accidents. (WV county health profiles, WV Bureau of Health Promotions, June 1997) Many residents have difficulty paying for or getting to health services.