Let’s make Bucks County a Blue Zone

There are many reasons Bucks County is already a great place to live: our beautiful wildlife, vibrant river towns, historical significance and proximity to major cities. But what if we add longer lifespans to the list? That’s what the new Blue Zones Ignite Bucks County project seeks to do.

Beginning in 2000, researchers associated with Blue Zones identified areas across the world, like Okinawa, Japan, with the highest rates of centenarians in their populations and studied why these communities are able to keep their residents healthier for longer. They have distilled their findings into improvements that other communities can make, such as installing bike paths, re-timing traffic lights so those with strollers and the elderly can cross more safely and passing ordinances so that mobile vendors can sell fresh produce.

On July 23, I attended the information session for the Blue Zones Ignite project at the Bucks County Community College Newtown Campus. The session was hosted by Pa. Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-10, who secured the funding for the initial assessment phase, and Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP), which is partnering with Blue Zones. After they complete their interviews and fact gathering, the Blue Zones team will provide BCHIP with a blueprint of projects tailored toward improving health and longevity for the residents of Bucks County.

Even the most evidence-backed public health initiatives can struggle to get funding, so I was concerned how Blue Zones would be financed after the assessment phase. I learned at the information session that 80% of the funding for Blue Zones projects comes from the private sector, mostly due to Affordable Care Act community investment requirements for healthcare providers and insurers. I also appreciated that Senator Santarsiero was upfront about the fact that local government bodies would need to be involved with approvals and funding for Blue Zones infrastructure projects.

Not everything will be expensive. For instance, projects like revamping the wording in restaurant menus to nudge people toward healthier choices cost little.

But I suspect the most impactful projects, things like building continuous sidewalks and bike paths, will involve significant outlay. However, projects like these can achieve a high return on investment by decreasing healthcare costs, which are currently a staggering 17% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. I’d much rather my tax dollars go toward a walkability infrastructure project that will improve public health than unpaid emergency room bills.

I’m hopeful that enthusiasm around this project can bring our community together and convince us to invest our tax dollars to make our towns more conducive to healthy lifestyles. I’m grateful to Democratic leaders like Senator Santarsiero who are willing to take on our growing healthcare costs and envision a future where we live both healthier and longer.

Hopefully, soon we can all say we are proud members of a Blue Zone.

Martha Howlett lives in Yardley.

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