BLUE ZONES OF THE WORLD
Overview of Blue Zones
Blue Zones are geographic areas where people live significantly longer, healthier lives compared to global averages. The term was coined by *Dan Buettner*, a National Geographic Fellow and longevity researcher, who identified and analyzed communities around the world with unusually high concentrations of centenarians (people living to 100+ years).
Buettner first described Blue Zones in a 2005 cover story for *National Geographic* titled **”The Secrets of a Long Life”**, and later expanded the concept in his bestselling book **”The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest”** (2008). His research, conducted in collaboration with demographers and other scientists, revealed five original Blue Zones:
Original 5 Blue Zones
1. **Okinawa, Japan** – Home to the world’s longest-lived women; noted for strong social bonds and plant-based diets.
2. **Sardinia, Italy** – Specifically the Nuoro Province; known for the highest concentration of male centenarians.
3. **Ikaria, Greece** – Low rates of dementia and chronic diseases; traditional Mediterranean diet and daily physical activity.
4. **Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica** – Strong family values, calcium-rich water, and a “plan de vida” (life purpose).
5. **Loma Linda, California, USA** – A community of Seventh-day Adventists living up to 10 years longer due to diet, faith, and lifestyle practices.
### **Common Characteristics: The Power 9**
Buettner and his team identified nine lifestyle habits shared among these populations, referred to as the **Power 9**:
1. **Move Naturally** – Regular, low-intensity physical activity.
2. **Purpose** – A sense of meaning and direction in life.
3. **Down Shift** – Stress-reducing routines and rituals.
4. **80% Rule** – Stop eating when 80% full.
5. **Plant Slant** – Diets rich in vegetables, beans, and whole foods.
6. **Wine @ 5** – Moderate alcohol consumption (mainly wine), often with friends and food.
7. **Belong** – Participation in faith-based communities.
8. **Loved Ones First** – Family-first culture.
9. **Right Tribe** – Social circles that support healthy behaviors.
—
### **Concept for Creating New Blue Zones in Islands, Regions, and Cities**
Given global interest in improving population health and longevity, the concept of **“Blue Zones Project”** has evolved to actively transform modern communities by applying the Power 9 principles. Here’s a blueprint to establish **New Blue Zones**:
#### **1. Baseline Assessment**
* Conduct a demographic and health audit of the target area.
* Analyze chronic disease rates, life expectancy, access to fresh food, walkability, and social engagement.
#### **2. Community Engagement**
* Involve local stakeholders (government, healthcare, schools, religious organizations).
* Establish local champions and community councils.
#### **3. Urban Design & Policy**
* Promote walkable cities, bike lanes, and green spaces.
* Implement zoning laws to support local food production and healthy food access.
#### **4. Lifestyle and Environmental Interventions**
* Support plant-based diets through public meals, school lunches, and farmers’ markets.
* Create programs for social connection, mental well-being, and purpose-driven living.
#### **5. Education and Awareness**
* Conduct workshops, campaigns, and school programs around the Power 9.
* Promote intergenerational programs to strengthen family and community ties.
#### **6. Continuous Monitoring and Scaling**
* Use health data to monitor progress.
* Adjust policies and programs as needed and share best practices with nearby regions.
##### **Examples of Ideal Locations for New Blue Zones:**
* **Island Settings**: Remote island communities with existing strong social networks and traditional diets (e.g., Azores, Canary Islands, Pacific Islands).
* **Urban Blue Zones**: Districts within cities like Amsterdam, Melbourne, or Austin that can be redesigned for health-first living.
* **Regional Blue Zones**: Rural regions with agricultural traditions, such as parts of Eastern Europe or South America, with community-centric values.
—
### **References**
1. Buettner, D. (2005). *The Secrets of a Long Life*. National Geographic Magazine.
2. Buettner, D. (2008). *The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest*. National Geographic Books.
3. Buettner, D. (2010). *Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way*. National Geographic Books.
4. Buettner, D. (2015). *The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People*. National Geographic Books.
5. Blue Zones Project – [https://www.bluezones.com](https://www.bluezones.com)
6. Poulain, M., Pes, G.M., & Grasland, C. (2004). Identification of a geographic area characterized by extreme longevity in the Sardinia island: the AKEA study. *Experimental Gerontology*.
—
Would you like a visual model or presentation slide of the new Blue Zone concept?
EVENTCOMPASS
The EVENTSCOMPASS and EVENTCALENDAR is your Navigationsystem through the leading Club Events and leading Conferences on the National, European and Global Level. THE HEALTH CAPTAINS CLUB with his affiliated COLLEGE and INSTITUTE filters Conference Platforms on behalf of their Relevance with the Goal to organize on our Platform HEALTHCAPTAINS.events an international convergence Hub to synchronize and accelerate exchange on all Levels to expand “LEADERSHIP FOR EXPLORING SUSTAINABLE HEALTH” by organizing Health Captains Leadership-Delegations towards some Conferences in Europe and beyond.
ATTEND AN EVENT
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – YOUR PARTIZIPATION AND INPUT IS ALWAYS WELCOME
WELCOME TO ATTEND OUR EVENTS
Your participation and input in our in-person and online forums is always welcome. You can get an overview on our HEALTHCAPTAINS.events Calendar – there you can click directly into the programs and register online. Get in direct contact with other HEALTH CAPTAINS – you are welcome aboard! Click here in the Future to register @ https://healthcaptains.events
To bridge and scale solutions you can additionally scroll down on our THE HEALTH CAPTAINS CLUB Landing-Page towards the “TWIN-CHAPTER IN PERSON AND ONLINE EVENTS”
For your questions and suggestions and your own ideas surrounding your participation, like content, speakers, think-tanks for “360º Next Generation Lifecare” please contact our President’s Office – we will be happy to support you and your input is welcome.
The barrier-free diversity of our members, speakers and participants is important to us – this is the only way we can develop and synchronize new solutions in a “silo-free” multi-professional and multi-stakeholder setting together and create new innovations for patient benefit powered by the creativity of our multi-disciplinary Membership and You:
Our culture is to develop the classic NETWORKING towards SYNAPTING: Learn more about the Neuroleadership-Experience of scaleable Ecosystems we are creating and cultivating together.