A team from the University of Virginia will hold a series of free clinics for residents of Virginia's coal-producing counties with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

University officials said Friday that three U.Va. staff members will partner with The Health Wagon, a free mobile clinic in Appalachia, to offer the clinics.

The first clinic September 26 and 27 is booked with follow-up care for people treated at an annual free clinic in Wise. The second is expected to be held late this year in Clinchco.

Health officials say diabetes is more prevalent and accounts for twice as many deaths in far southwest Virginia than in the state as a whole.