Anticipated benefits of a healthier population and economy were celebrated as more than 40 Walla Walla Valley leaders Thursday gathered to launch the areaâs Blue Zones Project.
The nationwide project is based on research by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author, who identified five âhot spotsâ with the highest amount of people living to 100 years or older worldwide.
The project incorporates Buettnerâs findings and works with cities, organizations and individuals to implement policies and programs that move a community toward better health, according to background information provided by the project.
Albert Lea, a town of about 18,000 people in Minnesota, hosted the first project, starting a pilot program in 2009 and becoming certified as a Blue Zones community in 2016. It saw a 40% drop in city worker healthcare costs, a 25% increase in property values and a 40% increase in biking and walking, according to Blue Zones.