The Charles County Health Department has announced the beginning of a process to become a certified Blue Zone to bolster community health.
In a meeting with the Commissioners of Charles County, Dr. Dianna Abney, Charles County Health Officer, discussed the importance of organizing funding to commence the assessment phase of the project. According to an article, the evaluation would cost $250,000 to assess the readiness, feasibility, and cultural viability of the transition for Charles. Dr. Abney reported the need comes as Charles has an already high and increasing incidence rate for certain illnesses, like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
According to Healthline, blue zones are geographic areas where people tend to live longer than average and have lower rates of chronic disease. Some common elements of blue zones include:
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Lifestyle: Blue zone residents tend to have a lifestyle that includes physical activity, low stress, and strong social connections.
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Diet: Blue zone residents often eat a plant-based diet, with meat eaten only a few times a month. They also drink mostly water, coffee, and tea, and limit sugary soft drinks.
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Mental health: Blue zone residents practice stress management techniques and rituals to maintain their mental well-being. They also tend to have a sense of purpose in life, which can lead to better physical health and more optimism.
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Community: Blue zone communities often value family and elders, with grandparents often living with their families and providing support.
In some areas across the United States, blue zones have seen decreases in smoking, childhood obesity and reduced medical claims costs. In Erie, Pennsylvania a county government certified their entire operation as a blue zone. Major elements of implementation were:
- Standing desks provided to employees who request them
- Under-desk elliptical machines provided to departments
- Microbreaks/meditations promoted to employees
- Blue Zones-inspired food items at restaurants within the County system
- Tobacco cessation support offered onsite
- Weight loss classes offered onsite
- Walking route booklet created for each main building
- A blood pressure self-monitoring program was implemented
- Starting a Community Wellness Fair
According to programs underway in Florida, the primary government role is to shape policies and encourage development that further accessibility and engagement with Blue Zone best practices.