How to Make U.S. Cities Blue Zones for Healthy Longevity

In an interview, author and Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner discusses how U.S. cities can become more attractive choices to older adults as places to live, reports Next Avenue . "We decided that we could take the nine evidence-based common denominators that we found in all the Blue Zones and implement them in communities across the United States," Buettner recalls. "Our goal was to make small adjustments to make the healthy choice the easy choice for people in their communities." Buettner stresses the importance of seniors having easy access to transportation or being able to walk to their desired destinations. "It's most important that we curate environments that encourage healthy lifestyles and diets," he argues. "If the healthy choice is the easy choice in our day-to-day lives, we will take that route over the unhealthy option." The Blue Zone project encourages people of all ages to volunteer and keep purpose in their day, while connecting with friends and neighbors also is recommended. "It is also important to surround yourself with the right people who share your values of health," Buettner says. "So, the social networks of long-lived people favorably shape their health behaviors."