The New River Health Association has won a $74,505 federal grant to help combat diabetes in the state where the disease is most severe.

The grant, announced by U.S. Representative Nick Rahall, will help the association implement a national chronic disease management system to help diabetes sufferers and people with cardiovascular illness in Fayette, Raleigh and Nicholas counties.

Chronic diseases like diabetes are especially severe in rural counties, where hospitals and clinics are few and residents have difficulty traveling long distances.

Earlier this month, the Trust for America's Health reported that 11.1 percent of West Virginians are affected with Type 2 diabetes, the highest rate in the country.