Persistent health problems are cutting down the average West Virginian's lifespan, with the southern counties particularly hard hit.

That's according to a report released Thursday by West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. The group used data from Harvard University and the state Department of Health and Human Resources to track life expectancy rates across the Mountain State.

The report found that 51 of 55 counties have average life expectancies below the national median of 76 years. Only Pendleton, Grant, Tucker and Monongalia counties did better than average.

Life expectancy rates are lowest in southern counties, particularly McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Boone and Wyoming. McDowell County ranks 14th lowest out of 3,141 counties nationally in life expectancy.

Perry Bryant, the group's executive director, wants the state to create a regional health department in southern West Virginia.

The report also calls for higher taxes on cigarettes, tax breaks for grocers that sell fresh fruit and vegetables and a total ban on sugary soft drinks in schools.