CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ West Virginia officials have selected a coordinator to focus on eliminating health disparities for the state’s vulnerable populations.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health said it has named Taya Williams as coordinator of the Office of Minority Health.

The office will work with West Virginia’s most vulnerable populations to address disease prevention, health promotion, healthier lifestyle choices and the use of health care services.

Vulnerable populations are defined by race or ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography, age, disability status, and risk status related to sex and gender.

Commissioner for Public Health and State Health Officer Dr. Letitia Tierney says the future health of West Virginians will be determined greatly by how officials can successfully eliminate health disparities.