Want to live longer and feel better—without a complete life overhaul? The Blue Zones Project helps communities do just that by redesigning environments to make healthy living easier and more natural. Inspired by the original Blue Zones, the project partners with public health officials and community leaders to improve well-being. Many U.S. cities have reported improved quality of life and increased community involvement after implementing Blue Zones Project principles. This article explores its impact and how more communities can join the movement.

The Blue Zones Project is based on research that identifies regions where people live longer, healthier lives. These areas, called the five original Blue Zones, include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Researchers found that residents in these original blue zones shared lifestyle habits promoting longevity, including strong social connections, regular movement, and diets rich in whole foods.

The Blue Zones Project applies these findings to modern communities by creating environments supporting better health. Instead of relying on individual willpower, the project works with community leaders and healthcare executives to shape policies that encourage healthy choices. This includes improving urban designs, increasing access to healthy options in supermarkets, and fostering social engagement.

By focusing on community transformation programs, the project helps cities improve well-being, reduce healthcare costs, and create long-term change for generations to come.

The Blue Zones Project is rooted in nine key lifestyle habits, collectively known as the Power 9. These principles explain why certain populations live longer and enjoy better well-being. Instead of relying on trends or strict regimens, the Power 9 focuses on simple, natural habits that people can integrate into everyday life.

The Power 9 includes moving naturally, having a strong sense of purpose, managing stress, following the 80% rule (eating until just 80% full), and prioritizing plant-based foods. It also emphasizes moderate alcohol consumption, belonging to a faith-based or social group, putting family first, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. These habits are associated with healthier weight management, better well-being, and stronger community health.

Applying these habits is simple. Walking more, cooking whole foods, and eating with family can strengthen health. Participating in community activities, optimizing home and city streets for movement, and fostering social connections all support longevity. The Blue Zones Project works with cities to make these practices more accessible, resulting in a higher quality of life.

Cities across the U.S. have embraced the Blue Zones Project to improve community health and lower healthcare costs. Through policy reforms and urban design enhancements, these cities have seen measurable declines in chronic diseases and significant improvements in quality of life.

California's Beach Cities, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, have been redesigned to promote walking and community interaction. Wider sidewalks, additional bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly streets have made active living more accessible. Schools and businesses have also introduced programs to encourage healthier food choices. Since implementing these changes, Beach Cities have seen a rise in community engagement and reported significant improvements in overall well-being.

Known as the “Minnesota Miracle,” Albert Lea became a model Blue Zones community by making small yet effective policy changes. The city expanded walking paths, encouraged standing desks in workplaces, and strengthened nutrition programs in schools. These initiatives fostered a healthier community and increased stakeholder involvement in long-term well-being programs. Albert Lea’s transformation demonstrated how even modest changes can lead to lasting health benefits and earn national recognition.

One of the largest cities to adopt Blue Zones Project principles, Fort Worth made significant changes to boost national recognition for health initiatives. Fort Worth made sweeping changes by investing in healthier environments by redesigning public spaces, expanding access to nutritious foods, and partnering with businesses to support wellness at work. As a result, Fort Worth saw increased participation in wellness programs and reported measurable improvements in health-related behaviors.

Cities like Naples, Florida, and Freeborn County, Minnesota, have also implemented community transformation programs through the Blue Zones Project. These areas have seen increased community stakeholder interest, more substantial public health goals, and a commitment to improving future generations’ well-being. As more cities adopt these strategies, the impact of the Blue Zones Project continues to grow nationwide.

City design plays a major role in shaping lifestyle habits. The Blue Zones Project helps communities by enhancing street and park designs, adding sidewalks and bike lanes, and increasing access to markets with nutritious food options. Schools, businesses, and restaurants are encouraged to promote healthy eating, while social venues foster community participation. These changes make it easier for residents to stay active, eat well, and build strong social connections—all of which contribute to a better quality of life and lower healthcare costs.

The “Life Radius” refers to the area where people spend most of their time, typically a few miles from home. The Blue Zones Project improves this space by optimizing city streets, public places, and businesses to encourage community health. Cities that have adopted the Blue Zones Project, for example, have modified roads to encourage walking, restructured school meal programs, and expanded access to fresh foods in impoverished districts. These modifications result in long-term gains that benefit both current and future generations.

Cities can become Blue Zones by implementing policies that encourage positive lifestyle choices. Successful outcomes are driven by strong leadership, local participation, and environmental improvements.

• Assess local needs with input from city officials, businesses, and public health officials.

• Improve areas to encourage walkability and outdoor activity.

• Enhance grocery stores by increasing access to fresh, nutritious food options.

• Develop social spaces that foster local engagement.

• Partner with health insurance executives and local organizations to secure funding and long-term support.

• Prioritize walkability by expanding sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly areas.

• Improve nutritious food access through policy changes and community-supported food initiatives.

• Encourage social engagement by creating public spaces and events that bring people together.

• Track measurable drops in healthcare expenses and improvements in community well-being.

• Strive to become a nationally recognized leader in public health and community transformation.

Residents can support public health agendas by attending city meetings, promoting local policies, and encouraging businesses to adopt Blue Zones Project principles. These small, collective efforts can lead to significant, healthier outcomes for the community. Over time, such actions may help boost national recognition as your community moves closer to becoming a Blue Zones community.

Living in a blue zone isn’t the only way to improve overall wellness. Anyone can apply the Power 9 principles to build healthier habits and increase longevity. Simple changes, such as reorganizing your kitchen to facilitate healthy eating or joining walking groups, may encourage long-term habits. Many people who follow these routines report feeling healthier, less stressed, and more energized.

Research from the Adventist Health Study further supports the effectiveness of Blue Zones-inspired habits. For instance, individuals who ate fewer meals per day, made breakfast their largest meal, and practiced longer overnight fasts saw reductions in body mass index (BMI) and improved overall health. These findings show that mindful meal timing and frequency, combined with other Blue Zones principles, can enhance the quality of life wherever you reside.

The Blue Zones story continues to spread as more cities recognize its profound impact on public health and healthcare expenses. The initiative, driving community stakeholder interest, is expanding to new locations across the U.S., where cities are adopting its strategies to improve quality of life. As success stories from these communities spread, demand for these transformative programs rises, showcasing the potential for small, intentional changes to create lasting improvements in public health. Moreover, ongoing research and innovation, supported by organizations like National Geographic and National Institute, continue to refine and strengthen the Blue Zones approach.

The Blue Zones Project demonstrates how small environmental changes can lead to longer, healthier lives. By transforming public spaces, increasing access to healthy options, and fostering community engagement, cities experience measurable reductions in healthcare costs and improved quality of life. Individuals can adopt the Power 9 habits, while businesses and policymakers can implement initiatives that improve community health and benefit future generations. As more communities embrace these strategies, the potential for lasting, transformative change continues to grow.