December 12, 2022
Blue Zones Project launches in Parkland and Spanaway in Washington state
Project aims to transform the well-being of all residents
MultiCare Health System, Pierce County, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health announce the launch of Blue Zones Project in Parkland and Spanaway.
The Blue Zones Project is a first-of-its-kind population health initiative that uses an evidence-based approach to transform the environments in which people live, work, learn, and play to measurably improve community well-being, economic vitality, and resilience.
Blue Zones Project success is fueled by the principle that good health is a community effort, and Parkland and Spanaway already have a strong start: the well-being initiative is brought to the region by a unique collaboration between two leading health systems (MultiCare and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health) and Pierce County. This public-private partnership is a model for what other cities and states can do with the right forward-thinking leadership.
County Executive Bruce Dammeier said, “I am very excited for our Blue Zones initiative to move forward in the Parkland and Spanaway communities. Not only will this work promote improved health and well-being for the residents, but it will also leverage existing local organizations to strengthen community and connection!”
Research indicates where people live has a bigger influence on health than genetics, so the Blue Zones Project focuses on the single largest determinant of health: the place we live. The initiative tackles the “zip code effect” by optimizing public policies, social connections, and the places and spaces where people spend the most time (streets, parks, schools, workplaces, grocery stores, faith communities, homes) so that healthy choices are easy and accessible.
By focusing on the Life Radius®—the area close to home where people spend 90% of their lives—the Blue Zones Project has been able to move the needle: participating communities have seen double-digit drops in obesity and smoking rates, economic investment in downtown corridors, grant-funding awards to support policies and programs aimed at improving health equity, and millions of dollars of savings in healthcare costs.
“Our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future calls us to collaborate with organizations committed to improving the health status of communities where we live, work, and play. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and productive life. By partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Pierce County to bring the Blue Zones Project to Parkland and Spanaway, we are building a stronger, more equitable community that will benefit our entire county,” said Bill Robertson, CEO of MultiCare.
“Everyone has the right to be healthy, and it shouldn’t depend on our zip code, economic status, or the color of our skin. As we strive to improve the health and well-being of the various populations we serve, particularly for the most vulnerable, we are dedicated to finding new and equitable approaches and strategies to building healthy communities,” said Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “This is an incredible opportunity to address healthcare disparities in these neighborhoods, and support important growth initiatives that will provide for the long-term sustainability of care, while creating healthier populations for generations to come.”
“We applaud the bold leaders for coming together in this collaborative public-private partnership for the greater good. We look forward to working together to create a culture and place that gives everyone the chance to live a healthy and happy life,” said Ben Leedle, CEO of Blue Zones and Co-founder of Blue Zones Project.
The launch of Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway represents the beginning of a multi-year collaborative effort that involves the entire community working together toward one common goal – to support and build a culture of community health and well-being. All residents of Parkland and Spanaway are welcome and encouraged to take part in Blue Zones Project programs and offerings, starting with signing up for the newsletter here.