Blue Zones Project is a community-wide well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier for everyone in Southwest Florida.
A vital part of Southwest Florida’s well-being improvement initiative, Blue Zones Project encourages changes to our community that lead to healthier options. When our entire community participates – from our worksites and schools to our restaurants and grocery stores – the small changes contribute to huge benefits for all of us: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life.
HISTORY OF BLUE ZONES
What began as a New York Times bestseller by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner has evolved into a global movement that’s inspiring people to live longer, more active lives with lower rates of chronic disease.
From Sardinia, Italy, to Okinawa, Japan, to Loma Linda, California, people are living vibrant, active lives well into their hundreds. Buettner calls these areas Blue Zones and they’re the inspiration behind his book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. Buettner’s research, along with a global longevity study, have led to a program that helps us live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
BLUE ZONES PROJECT RECOGNIZES SENIOR HOUSING SOLUTIONS
The Blue Zones project is based on the world travels of Dan Buettner, who identified communities worldwide where people share traits of great longevity. He wrote a New York Times bestseller about the nine principles of longevity. The “Power Nine” principles include eating a plant-slant diet, moving naturally by walking, biking or similar activity, having a sense of purpose, limiting alcohol intake, putting family first, belonging to a social group and more.
Buettner retained Healthways for program guidance in communities that are seeking Blue Zones
designation, where a significant percentage of the populace is taking steps to change their
environment and lifestyle so healthier choices are preferred.
“Blue Zones Project is thrilled to have Senior Housing Solutions as our newest organization to become Blue Zones Project Recognized in Southwest Florida! Not only did Senior Housing Solutions go above and beyond in their commitment to the project, but Bruce Rosenblatt has become a wonderful ambassador- helping to foster well-being throughout the community.”
“After learning more about the Blue Zones project, I feel that the core principles are very similar to that of my organization in promoting successful aging… Living with a purpose, making healthy choices, staying physically and socially active and enjoying a community lifestyle.” “The more people can embrace these principles, the less likely they will need extended long term care as they age,” said Bruce Rosenblatt
To date, 25 businesses, country clubs, schools churches, nonprofits, restaurants and the like
in Southwest Florida have earned Blue Zones designation where at least 25 percent of people
within each group have taken the pledge to adhere to healthier selections and the business or organization
has made structural changes accordingly.
The NCH Healthcare System is the sponsor of the local project.
The NCH Healthcare System is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation serving Collier County and surrounding areas. NCH has evolved over the last fifty years, becoming one of the most progressive healthcare systems in the country, embracing new technology and evidence-based medicine. NCH offers a wide range of services, physicians and locations. More than just hospitals, the NCH Healthcare System is an alliance of over 630 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida.
Our physicians see patients about 3 million times a year. Patients visit our two hospitals for care about 25,000 times a year. We celebrate the birth of about 2,800 bouncing new babies annually. Our 24/7 ERs and several outpatient centers help patients 200,000 times a year.
Downtown Hospital
350 7th Street North
Naples FL 34102
(239) 624-5000
North Naples Hospital
11190 Health Park Blvd.
Naples FL 34110
(239) 552-7000
Chiropractic care – At Fundamental Health Solutions, our vision for a healthier community beings with patient education. Since 2007, our mission has been to improve the health of our Naples community – one family, one patient and one day at a time.
Unique Aspect:
Om addition to running a busy practice, Dr. Stohler has developed and teaches his Move Right exercise classes and Fundamental Food workshops. He teaches and shares ways to to improve one’s health through real food and healthy habits.
Awards/ Certifications:
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician.; Applied Kinesilogist, Certified Functional Movement Assessment and Selective Functional Movement; Certified SWFL Blue Zone Instructor
