Blue Zones initiative contains evaluation and plan to assist residents dwell higher and longer lives

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sacramento County Public Health has joined forces with Blue Zones, the worldwide chief in longevity analysis and group well-being transformation, to launch Blue Zones Activate in Sacramento County. The initiative makes use of an evidence-based strategy to make wholesome selections simpler in all of the locations folks spend probably the most time. The effort will start with an in-depth evaluation of the County to find out how you can make it a dementia-friendly group and a more healthy place to dwell, work, and thrive.

“Sacramento County is steadfast in its mission to enhance the health and well-being of all residents, irrespective of zip code, so that they can live a happy, healthy and long life,” stated Rich Desmond, Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. “Under Governor Newsom’s unwavering commitment and leadership in Alzheimer’s prevention, we have been presented with remarkable opportunities, including our partnership with Blue Zones for the Alzheimer’s Innovation and Well-Being Initiative. The collaboration between Blue Zones, the State, and our County is a source of genuine excitement, as we confront the sobering reality that Alzheimer’s disease continues to claim the lives of too many older adults in Sacramento County.” 

The launch of Blue Zones Activate in Sacramento County is the results of the Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward. Launched in 2019 by Governor Newsom and chaired by Former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, the duty drive delivered groundbreaking suggestions on getting ready California for an getting older state and supplied long-term Alzheimer’s and dementia associated options.

“As one of the most diverse regions in California, Sacramento County is the perfect place to break ground on this life-altering initiative,” stated Maria Shriver, Former First Lady of California and Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward. “Thank you to Governor Newsom and state leaders for their enduring dedication to reshape the way we care for individuals with dementia and create a future where everyone can age with dignity.”

Dan Buettner, Blue Zones founder and National Geographic Explorer and Fellow, stated, “Some of the original blue zones suffer one-fifth the rate of dementia as we do in the United States. In Sacramento, we’ll be deploying the same Blue Zones approach we’ve used to raise life expectancy. This time, however, we’ll be customizing it to also drive down the rate of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Counties and cities which might be ready to step as much as the problem would comply with Blue Zones’ environmental strategy to remodel their communities into dementia-friendly environments that assist a wholesome way of life that may forestall, cut back, and typically even reverse the damaging results of dementia. Long-term, place-based initiatives by Blue Zones in communities throughout the nation have already resulted in widespread inhabitants well-being enchancment, together with double-digit drops in weight problems and tobacco use and tens of millions of {dollars} in healthcare value financial savings.

Sacramento County is the primary group in California to make use of the Blue Zones mannequin to create a dementia-friendly group that helps well-being of all residents.

The Blue Zones Approach

Blue Zones employs a confirmed resolution in collaboration with communities to assist folks dwell higher and longer lives. The firm’s work is predicated on analysis and ideas developed by founder Dan Buettner, who recognized the cultures of the world – or blue zones – with the healthiest, longest-living populations.

The Blue Zones strategy focuses on the only largest determinant of well being: the place folks dwell. Instead of specializing in simply particular person habits change, Blue Zones helps communities make everlasting adjustments to methods and environment so it is simpler for residents to eat properly, transfer naturally, and join extra with others as they transfer all through their day. By enhancing the Life Radius^® – the world near residence the place most Americans spend 90% of their lives – Blue Zones transformations have been capable of dramatically enhance total inhabitants well being and well-being, elevate worker and pupil productiveness, and increase financial vitality and growth. 

Ben Leedle, Blue Zones CEO and Co-founder of Blue Zones Project, stated: “We’ve been applying the Blue Zones model across the country to create communities that foster individual and population well-being to improve health and happiness, reduce healthcare costs, and create positive long-term economic impact. I’m excited about our commitment to apply our solution to the rising problem of Alzheimer’s disease and believe that applying policy and place-based initiatives has the great potential to positively impact cognitive health and reduce the risk of this devastating disease.”

For extra data on Blue Zones Activate or to discover ways to become involved, go to bluezones.com/activate-sacramento.

About Blue Zones^®
Blue Zones employs evidence-based methods to assist folks dwell higher, longer. The firm’s work is rooted in explorations and analysis carried out by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in Blue Zones areas all over the world, the place folks dwell terribly lengthy and/or joyful lives. The authentic analysis and findings had been launched in Buettner’s bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchen—all printed by National Geographic books. Using authentic Blue Zones analysis, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make wholesome selections simpler via everlasting and semi-permanent adjustments to our human-made environment. Participating communities have skilled double-digit drops in weight problems and tobacco use and have saved tens of millions of {dollars} in healthcare prices. For extra data, go to bluezones.com.

About Sacramento County Public Health
The mission of Sacramento County Public Health is to advertise, shield, and guarantee situations for optimum well being and public security for residents and communities of Sacramento County via management, collaboration, prevention, and response. Sacramento County Public Health supplies well being schooling and first prevention companies and is a central a part of a complete community of public well being companies answerable for offering correct well being data to the native communities. Public Health screens the well being standing of Sacramento’s residents, units well being priorities, and evaluates the effectiveness of well being initiatives. For extra data, go to http://www.scph.com.

Contacts:
Samantha Mott
[email protected]
916-642-5508

Naomi Imatome-Yun
[email protected]
917.952.8534

SOURCE Blue Zones