Dave Fulford Jr., executive director of Blackbelt and Central Alabama Housing, wants to promote healthy living and address the healthy issues within the community during the NEW START Health & Wellness Seminar.

The event starts on  Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. at Five Points Community Development Center on 7333 County Road 33 in Orrville.

The NEW START Health & Wellness Seminar lasts for eight weeks and will teach people about their health and how to improve upon it.

“What we do is teach people about the acronym and how it relates to their health,” Fulford said.

“Nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest and trust, each one of these will be taught during our class.”

Fulford said he has a personal connection with the seminar and relaying health information to others due to health challenges he has faced in his life.

“I have health challenges myself,” Fulford said. “I’ve gone through cancer treatment, and I have other things that I’m dealing with.

“At one point, I was 315 pounds and I lost 65 pounds. We’re using this seminar to educate and inform others on how to eat and take care of their body.”

Fulford said he put time into researching the prevalence of health issues in Alabama and noticed the Blackbelt area has the most health issues.

“According to all the information I have seen, I know in the Blackbelt area there is a big health issue,” he said.

“Hypertension, cardiovascular problems and cancer, are all things that we need to protect our bodies from. The numbers are higher in the Blackbelt than anywhere else in the state.”

Along with Fulford, health experts will be present during the seminar.

Fulford encourages those who endure health problems or want to educate themselves to enroll.

“I know with the proper nutrition people can lead better lives,” Fulford said. “These classes will help them understand that.”

For more information or to register for the seminar, call (334)-874-7907.