California takes the lead in building an aging-ready state

OPINION – In Okinawa, Japan, residents commonly live past the age of 100. The same is true on the island of Sardinia in Italy, the Greek isle of Ikaria, the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica and Loma Linda, California.

What is the secret to their longevity?

Explorer and author Dan Buettner has spent over 20 years delving into this question and found that these “blue zones regions” share common traits: unprocessed food, plant-based diets, natural movement and strong community bonds, among others. Buettner has written best-selling books on the subject and is the host of a hit docuseries now airing on Netflix.

Blue Zones is now bringing their evidence-based approach to Sacramento. Last summer, Blue Zones and Sacramento County launched Blue Zones Activate, a program that will take the global learnings of Blue Zones, tailor them to the specific needs of the Sacramento community and present a plan to transform Sacramento into an area where residents live healthier, longer lives.

The remarkable activation in Sacramento is not a coincidence – it comes from California’s commitment to leaving no stone unturned when it comes to exploring how the state can best support residents to live long and healthy lives. Sacramento County’s Blue Zone Activate initiative was made possible by Gov. Newsom’s Alzheimer’s Task Force, funding from the California Department of Public Health and the Legislature’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA), a comprehensive blueprint to build a California for all ages.

Since the MPA’s adoption in 2020, California has invested over $5.8 billion in programs to meet the master plan’s goals to reimagine housing, caregiving, affordability, inclusion, equity and health systems.

Blue Zones is one of many initiatives underway in Sacramento to build an aging-ready state.

The state’s focus on unique community needs is evident in programs like MPA’s Local Aging and Disability Action Planning Grant Program, which supports local organizations in creating age- and disability-friendly action plans to address current, emerging and future needs of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers across the state.

Since the MPA’s adoption in 2020, California has invested over $5.8 billion in programs to meet the master plan’s goals to reimagine housing, caregiving, affordability, inclusion, equity and health systems.

Here in Sacramento, Blue Zones and Sacramento County are conducting an in-depth assessment by zip code of the county’s state of well-being and highest priority challenges – to determine how to dedicate resources. The project will initially focus on North and South Sacramento, including Robla, Del Paso Heights, Hagginwood, Woodlake, Arden-Arcade, Lemon Hill, Parkway, Meadowview and Florin.

According to Gallup research identified by the Blue Zones team, there is a 10-year gap between the highest life expectancy zip code in Sacramento County—82.7 years—and the lowest—72.92, compared to the average U.S. life expectancy of 77.28 years. The pilot program intends to better understand how economic, social and lifestyle factors come together to impact longevity and health in Sacramento County – and how elected, business and community leaders can drive towards better outcomes for all.

Positive, evidence-backed results have been observed in other Blue Zones projects across the US, including Ft. Worth, TX, Wahiawa, HI, Klamath Falls, OR, Albert Lea, MN and communities in Southwest Florida. Reductions in smoking, obesity, heart disease, improved nutrition and lower stress levels have been achieved through the implementation of Blue Zones programs.

In the Southern California beach communities, the impact was substantial, obesity rates fell by 68% in Redondo Beach elementary schools and dropped by 15% among adults in the city after implementing Blue Zones programs and policies. Localities also saw a 36% drop in smoking and a 10% drop in daily stress levels. Taken together, these communities in 2015 earned the highest well-being index score among all 190 metropolitan areas measured nationwide.

Sacramento County is excited to partner with Blue Zones to build upon existing programs dedicated to supporting happier, healthier and longer-living communities. Sacramento can improve the lives of its residents—and help lead the way for California’s aging population—for decades to come.

Patrick Kennedy represents District 2 on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Rich Desmond represents District 3.