Blue Zones are regions where people often live into their 100s and beyond.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The City of Scottsdale is pursuing certification as Arizona's first designated "Blue Zone," joining a growing movement that promotes longevity through community-wide wellness initiatives.
Blue Zones, a concept identified by National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner through demographic research, are regions where people regularly live past 100 at rates higher than global averages.
The original Blue Zones include communities in Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; and Loma Linda, California.
"What we do with Blue Zones project is we take those lifestyle principles and we bring them into American communities so that we can help make the healthy choice the easy choice in all of the spaces and places we spend the most time," said Sarah Kearny, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale.
The initiative has gained momentum across the United States, with over 70 cities implementing Blue Zones projects.
HonorHealth has stepped in as an anchor sponsor in Scottsdale alongside The Cigna Group and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
Michelle Pavis, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at HonorHealth, emphasized the project's holistic approach.
"What I love about Blue Zones is it's not a diet, it's not an exercise program, it's really a way of life. It's gentle nudges throughout your day," she said. "We spend 90% of our time within a 20-mile radius. So how do we start to impact your community, where you're spending your time in the workplace, the restaurants you're eating at, the schools where we're sending our kids?"
Pavis said not every city is chosen to participate in the Blue Zones Project.
In fact, Pavis emphasized The Blue Zones project looks for communities with a "high level of engagement and partnership" to implement its evidence-based approach to enhancing well-being.
"They also looked at the natural assets that already exist in the community that we could amplify," Pavis said. "We're very lucky here in the Valley to have the hiking trails, the biking trails. So how do we continue to elevate that and look for opportunities to improve?"
The initiative takes a systematic approach to community transformation focusing on people, places and policy.
The Scottsdale program has already launched community activities, including weekly pickleball games, community service events and group walks.
Maureen Aldrich, marketing and engagement lead at Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, said they've already noticed the project impacting people's lives.
Aldrich recalled one of their walking "Moais", a term from Okinawa Japan, referring to a group of people with similar interests who meet regularly to engage in physical activities.
"The first time somebody came, she was in tears, and she told me, after today, it changed her life," Aldrich said. "There's a loneliness and isolation issue here and across the country. It's a way for people to connect and get to be friends."
The Blue Zones Project is also teaming up with restaurants and businesses to help them adapt to practices to align with Blue Zone principles.
Angie Rice, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, plans to incorporate these concepts into her travel offerings.
"You can incorporate some of the healthier experiences that trip offers, by way of example, when you go to these Blue Zone type destinations, and you can come back and implement those positive changes into your everyday life," Rice said.
By curating these types of "transformative" travel journeys, Angie hopes to inspire lasting lifestyle changes in her clients.
"Our goal is to really work with our clients to give them a better sense of the benefits of travel," Rice said.
The city will undergo evaluation after four years to determine if it reached the requirements to become an officially designated Blue Zone.