Salinas becomes first certified Blue Zones Community® in Monterey County, California

Blue Zones Project Certification - Salinas, CA has achieved Blue Zones Community® certification, making it the first in Monterey County to earn this designation [1] - The certification recognizes Salinas' success in well-being transformation through the implementation of Blue Zones Project®, which integrates best practices in built environment, policy, and social connection [1] - The initiative was brought to Salinas by Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms, and Montage Health in 2018, engaging local leaders, volunteers, and organizations to improve community health [2] Health and Well-being Improvements - Salinas' overall community well-being score improved by 5.9 points since 2019, contrasting with a national downward trend [3] - Each point increase in well-being leads to approximately a 2% reduction in ER visits and hospital utilization, and a 1% reduction in total healthcare costs [3] - Residents reporting they are thriving in daily life rose from 58.8% to 66.6% [3] - 65.5% of individuals report at least 30 minutes of exercise three or more days per week, up from 56.2% in 2019 [3] - High cholesterol reports decreased by 54%, and tobacco use dropped to 2.8%, below state and national averages [3] - Nearly $21.7 million in additional funding was leveraged for well-being projects, and over $43.7 million in avoided medical and lost productivity costs were gained over the last five years [3] Community Engagement and Policy Impact - More than 18,500 individuals and 98 organizations participated in implementing Project programs and best practices [4] - Thirty-six new community policies, plans, and initiatives were implemented, improving built environment infrastructure, food systems, and tobacco use [4] - Twenty-five area schools integrated Blue Zones principles, encouraging healthy eating and physical activity [5] - Twenty-eight local restaurants added over 150 Blue Zones-inspired dishes, and 28 worksites implemented best practices to improve employee well-being [5] - Over 1,280 individuals attended purpose workshops, and residents generated over $250,000 through 5,600 volunteer hours [5] Future Plans and Sponsorship - Local leaders and volunteers will continue to champion Blue Zones Project as it expands across Monterey County, with certification reviews expected in Spring 2025 [7] - The initiative is supported by Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms, and Montage Health in collaboration with Sharecare, Inc and Blue Zones, LLC [7] About Blue Zones Project - Blue Zones Project® is a community-led well-being initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social networks [8] - The project is based on research by Dan Buettner, who identified five cultures with the highest concentration of centenarians [8] - Currently, more than 75 communities across North America have joined Blue Zones Project, impacting over 4.5 million citizens [8]