What if you could live longer and healthier?

What if where you live could help you live a longer, healthier life?

The founders of Blue Zones want that to be possible wherever you live — and Mason County leaders, including Mason Health, have recently joined the global initiative, with the launch of Blue Zones Activate in Mason County.

“As a healthcare provider serving the people of Mason County, Mason Health understands the importance of preventive care and the impact of lifestyle choices on overall health,” said Mason Health CEO Eric Moll “We believe that the Blue Zones work will be a game-changer for our community, and we are enthusiastic about the potential benefits for our patients, staff, and community members.”

Blue Zones are regions of the world where people tend to live longer, healthier lives compared to the global average, as identified through demographic and statistical research. The term “Blue Zones” was coined by journalist and explorer Dan Buettner, who, along with a team of researchers, studied communities with high concentrations of centenarians.

The original Blue Zones identified by Buettner included places like Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, in the United States.

These regions share common lifestyle and cultural factors that contribute to the longevity and well-being of their inhabitants. There are now 90 Blue Zones projects worldwide, including Blue Zones Activate projects, which are designed for smaller regions.

In February 2023, the CHOICE Regional Health Network contracted with Blue Zones to start Activate projects in Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties.

Local leaders from Mason Matters, Mason County’s local health coalition, began meeting in late 2023 to identify specific projects and initiatives to develop in Mason County. Mason Health is an active partner in these discussions and will announce specific projects later this year.

“I absolutely love how our work with Blue Zones aligns so well with our partnership with Practice Greenhealth, which includes our recent Environmental Excellence Awards, our Greening the OR (Operating Room) Recognition and the District’s ESG strategy,” said Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps. “This is so awesome! Well done!”