The Healthways Blue Zones Vitality City is a community-wide initiative with one goal: creating healthier, happier and more productive citizens.
Using evidence-based, sustainable environmental changes and policy adjustments our team will work with you to create a Vitality City with measurably lower healthcare costs and a quantifiably higher quality of life. A Vitality City will gain national recognition and positive media because of its extreme commitment to becoming a “best place to live” which in turn generates deep seeded pride and drives overall economic and social progress.
For more information on how we will do this and how it is measured, see
www.vitality-city.com
Conference Call
Join us on April 9 at 2:30 est for a conference call hosted by Dan Buettner and Ben Leedle. Call us at 719.325.2329 and be sure to bring your questions.
See Our Media Coverage
Our first community transformation generated almost 200 million media impressions.
Economic and Community Growth
Beyond a healthier, happier community, the growth of new businesses, investment opportunities, and establishment of a community of choice in which to live, work, play and learn creates economic development for years to come.
The HBI will not supplant initiatives currently happening in your community, rather work with, supplement, and increase participation in them. We know every community has great things going for it, and Blue Zones seeks to drive support for those programs, services and initiatives.
Media Attention
As one of the first Vitality Cities, we expect your community will receive media attention to draw employers, quality employees and additional support to make your community one of the best places to live, work and learn. The prototype community, Albert Lea, MN received over 170,000,000 media impressions including features on Good Morning America, USA Today, Nightline, AARP Magazine and Newsweek. Your community could be next...and you could be a leader in making it happen.
How does my community become the next Healthways Blue Zones Community?
Applications are being accepted now, and any community leader (city government or council, foundation, or person with the experience leading the community) can sponsor the application. Take the time to find out more in the Information Packet and start completing the Statement of Interest. Applications are due May 14, 2010.
Albert Lea Vitality Project
A prototype Blue Zones community transformation program, sponsored by AARP and the United Health Foundation, was completed in Albert Lea, MN in 2009 with fantastic results. Learn More
Key facts about the Vitality Project pilot program
The ultimate goal: for the people of Albert Lea to adopt these healthy habits so naturally, so painlessly, they wouldn’t even realize how radically they were changing their lives.
Albert Lea – What Changed
- Over 25% of the population participated in the program
- Restaurants changed their menus to offer many more healthy choices
- Schools implemented seven wellness policy changes to reduce snack foods and increase activity
- Businesses changed their environment & policies to encourage healthier behaviors
- Volunteers planted 70 community gardens
- Biking and hiking paths were connected through-out the community to encourage more walking social groups called "Walking Moais"
Their Results in 2009
- Life expectancy increased an average of 3.2 years
- Participants lost an average of 3 lbs each
- Albert Lea received extensive media attention for its work
- Employers reported a 21% drop in absenteeism
- City employees showed a 49% decrease in health care costs
- Kids walked more, due to a "walking school bus" system that had kids walking the last mile to school every day under the supervision of parent and senior volunteers.
