About Blue Zones®

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better, longer. The company’s work is rooted in explorations and research done by founder and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in blue zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner’s bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, Blue Zones Kitchen, Blue Zones Challenge, and Blue Zones American Kitchen—all published by National Geographic books. An Emmy Award-winning docuseries, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, was released on Netflix in 2023. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit bluezones.com.

About Blue Zones Ignite in Sussex County

It is the vision of Partners for Wellbeing to create sustainable well-being for all Delawareans, and they serve as the community organizers for the project. Their mission is to create sustainable community wellness for all Delawareans by collaborating with people and organizations who share their deep belief that a healthy environment creates healthy people and healthy societies. United Way of Delaware (UWDE) serves as the fiscal agent for this project. UWDE’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans by maximizing the community’s resources. Their vision is to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential. The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) is the lead sponsor for the Blue Zones Ignite initiative. Their mission is to promote dignity, respect, and inclusion for older adults and people with disabilities. DSAAPD’s vision is for inclusive communities that promote engagement of older adults and individuals with disabilities. 

What is Blue Zones?

The Blue Zones model is a proven solution based on research and principles developed by founder and National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner, who identified the cultures of the world—or blue zones—with the healthiest, longest-living populations.

Research shows that where people live has a bigger influence on their health than their genetics, commonly called the “zip code effect.” The Blue Zones approach focuses on this largest determinant of health using scientifically proven lessons of longevity, health, and happiness gleaned from 20 years of research.

Instead of focusing on individual behavior change, Blue Zones helps communities make permanent and semi-permanent changes to a city’s policies, systems, streets, surroundings, and social networks so it’s easier for residents to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect more with others as they move throughout their day. By improving the Life Radius^®—the area close to home where most Americans spend 90% of their lives—Blue Zones transformations have been able to move the needle dramatically in improving overall population health and well-being, raising employee and student productivity, and boosting economic vitality and development.

RSVP to attend the October 7th Keynote event at Sussex Academy Elementary Campus 22051 Wilson Road Georgetown, DE https://www.bluezones.com/ignite-sussex-county/