Blue Zones Project Blog

We are the second fattest nation in the world. (Nauru, the third smallest nation in the world, is fatter.) What can we do about this? What diet is best? How can we best motivate people to lose weight, keep it off, or—better still—not become overweight in the first place? Statistics show that in 2017, more than two-thirds of the U.S. adult population were considered overweight or obese. Obesity is the second most common cause of preventable death in our country, ranked just after smoking.

The human body is amazing. We take for granted the underlying, almost autonomous functions that keep us healthy and functional. Most times, with a casual nonchalance, we don’t even realize what goes on second by second inside our bodies as we direct our conscious attention to interaction with the outside surrounding environment. Our bodies are more complex than most computers. Organ system examples are fascinating.

What is the value of making lives longer and healthier? Is living longer no matter what more valuable than staying healthy? How does the value of treating aging comprehensively compare to eradicating diseases specifically? These thoughtful questions were addressed using an economic model rather than the traditional biological model in a University of Oxford study, “The Economic Value of Targeting Aging,” and a McKinsey Health Institute paper entitled “Adding Years to Life and Life to Years.”

Over 70% of illnesses are caused by our own behaviors. Most everyone knows there is an association among heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension with high lipids (fats in the blood). Equally understandable is the concept that we are what we eat.

Rethinking Community Benefit Programs—A New Vision for Hospital Investment in Community Health, co-authored by Dr. Jay Bhatt, a friend and former Chief Medical Officer of the American Hospital Association (AHA), makes the case for healthcare systems to invest in the community outside their walls. Moving upstream from a “repair shop” to a “prevention program” will eliminate unnecessary misery, decrease cost, and ultimately save the healthcare industry from bankrupting itself and the nation.

If you are you interested in your life expectancy based on your location, place your ZIP code into Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s internet site. You can easily compare ZIP codes’ results if you are thinking of relocating.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are appropriately top-of-mind in America today, particularly for health professionals, governmental officials, influential leaders, and concerned others—all who have witnessed the disproportionate devastation of socio-economically disadvantaged populations from the pandemic as well as those who desire to eradicate systemic racism.

Earlier this week, Pete Delgado, President and CEO of Salinas Valley Memorial Health System (SVMH), and Dr. Steve Packer, President and CEO of Montage Health, shared their success with almost a hundred senior healthcare executives at the annual American College of Healthcare Executives Congress.

Understanding poverty, unemployment, homelessness, drug-addiction, or any other socio-economic stress was a topic addressed last week. How well would you survive in poverty is the subject of this week’s Blue Zones Bulletin. Ruby Payne’s “Understanding Poverty” quiz is revealing.

Understanding poverty, unemployment, homelessness, drug-addiction, or any other socio-economic stress and unfortunate situation is a challenge for those of us who are so fortunate not have such an affliction. This essay is the first of two raising awareness to those living nearby folks with these overwhelming conditions.