More than 6,700 individuals supported the
community's transformation through Blue Zones Project
WALLA
WALLA, Wash., May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Blue Zones, LLC announced that Walla
Walla Valley, WA has achieved Blue
Zones Community® certification, making it the first to
earn the designation in the state. The certification
recognizes the measurable success of Walla Walla
Valley's well-being transformation through the successful
implementation of Blue Zones Project® and the
culmination of the initiative's work in the community.
Local supporters celebrated the achievement on April 12, 2024, with Blue Zones Project
colleagues from local and national teams expressing gratitude for
the many residents and organizations working to improve well-being
across the community.
"We thank community members and organizations for their
commitment to creating a culture of well-being across the Walla
Walla Valley," said Meghan DeBolt,
executive director of the Project. "Through your collaboration and
dedication, the programs and policies implemented through Blue
Zones Project in Walla Walla Valley have made healthy choices the
easier option for everyone, paving the way for a longer, happier
life for current and future residents."
Brought to Walla Walla Valley by Adventist Health in 2020,
Blue Zones Project is a pioneering population health initiative
that brings evidence-based best practices in built environment,
policy, and social connection to participating communities. The
initiative has engaged local leaders, volunteers, and organizations
to help residents move naturally, eat wisely, develop healthy
connections, and live with purpose. Walla Walla Valley earned the
designation by meeting Project benchmarks in categories including
resident and employer engagement rates, well-being scores, and
community policies.
Community members who engaged with the Project and took the
RealAge Test as a follow up measurement had higher Purpose, Social,
and Community Well-Being scores during a time when well-being has
been on the decline across the country.
Additionally, because of the community-wide effort, Walla Walla
Valley can celebrate the following outcomes:
- $9.8 million in funding secured
for well-being projects with the support of Blue Zones
Project.
- 56 organizations implemented Blue Zones Project programs and
policies into their cultures.
- 10 worksites, 7 restaurants, 6 schools, and 2 grocery stores
implemented well-being best practices to become Blue Zones Project
Approved™ and provide healthier services for their employees and
those they serve in the community.
- 20 Built-Environment, 15 Tobacco, and 12 Food policies were
implemented into College Place and
Walla Walla to support better
health among residents. Among those were the Walawàla Plaza, Lion's
Park Renovation, Safe Routes to Schools maps, Produce RX program,
community garden implementations, and an increase in tobacco-free
spaces.
- Produce consumption by underserved community members, as
measured by BMAC food distribution, has grown 68% from 2020 to
2023.
- Walla Walla's WalkScore
increased from 65 to 72, and its BikeScore rose from 37 to 49.
(Higher walkability in neighborhoods is associated with decreased
rates of obesity and diabetes.)
These impressive measures are the direct result of the
participation of more than 6,700 individuals and over 80
organizations who implemented Project programs, activities, and
best practices. "Walla Walla Valley has made great strides in
well-being during a challenging time when well-being has been on
the decline across the country. The gains in well-being for Walla
Walla Valley are a direct result of the commitment of partners,
residents, and organizations working together with a shared vision
to create a healthier, happier community where people live better
and longer lives," said Ben Leedle, CEO of Blue Zones, and
co-founder of Blue Zones Project. "By making healthy choices
easier, the Walla Walla Valley has invested in the well-being of
their residents for generations to come."
Since 2021, Blue Zones Project has been instrumental in helping
partners in the community rally around well-being. Area schools
implemented policies and introduced food options that encourage
healthy eating on campus, integrated daily physical activity, and
incorporated other Blue Zones principles into their environments to
positively impact more than 3,225 students. Local restaurants added
12 new Blue Zones-inspired dishes to make healthier choices easier
while dining out. Blue Zones Project saw 1,009 individuals attend
purpose workshops and residents generated over $144,000 for the community through more than
3,800 volunteer hours donated. Award-winning built environment
projects like the establishment of Walawála Plaza helped create
more pedestrian-friendly spaces, among other policy
initiatives.
"Communities with higher levels of well-being see lower
healthcare costs, higher productivity, and are celebrated as great
places to live," said Jennifer Furler, vice president of Blue
Zones Project strategic relationships. "The collective impact made
possible by individuals throughout the Walla Walla Valley
exemplifies the transformative power individuals possess when they
come together with a dedicated and sustained commitment to
community well-being."
Community leaders and volunteers plan to build upon the
foundation laid by Blue Zones Project for Walla Walla Valley's
continued progress toward optimal health and well-being. As a
certified Blue Zones Community, the Walla Walla Valley has a strong
foundation of well-being to support health and promote longevity
throughout the community.
History
The idea for Blue Zones Project Walla Walla
Valley began during early 2018. Residents invited Blue Zones
Project to visit the valley to see if a Blue Zones Project
community-transformation initiative could be successful. Community
members who met with the Blue Zones Project team expressed a desire
to make the Walla Walla Valley a better place to live, work, and
play. They were committed to supporting the work needed to create
community-wide improvements for people living in the valley. Once
it was established that the community had the interest and
commitment to implement an initiative, funding was secured.
Adventist Health partnered with the Project to help improve the
well-being of its service areas and Walla Walla Valley was selected
as the first site. Work for Blue Zones Project Walla Walla Valley
officially began in November
2020.
About Blue Zones Project
Blue Zones
Project® is a community-led well-being improvement
initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through
permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social
networks. Established in 2010, Blue Zones Project is based on
research by Dan Buettner, a National
Geographic Fellow and New York Times
bestselling author who identified five cultures of the world—or
blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100
years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner's findings
and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will
move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Currently,
more than 75 communities across North
America have joined Blue Zones Project, impacting more than
6.5 million citizens. The population health solution includes
communities in Arizona,
California, Minnesota, Iowa, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, North
Carolina, North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin. For more information, visit
bluezonesproject.com.
About Blue Zones Project - Walla Walla Valley
Blue
Zones Project® is brought to Walla Walla Valley through
an innovative sponsorship with Adventist Health and in partnership
with Walla Walla University and
Blue Zones, LLC. Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit
integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the
West Coast and Hawaii, as well as
others across the U.S. through its Blue Zones®
organization, a pioneer in taking a systemic and environmental
approach to improving the health of entire cities and communities.
Through this work and other initiatives, Adventist Health is
leading a 21st century well-being transformation movement.
Contact:
Naomi Imatome-Yun
Blue Zones Editor-in-Chief and Chief Marketing and Communications
Officer
naomi@bluezones.com
917.952.8534
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SOURCE Blue Zones