Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area
What is Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area?
Blue Zones is based on 20 years of research and scientifically proven lessons of longevity, health and happiness, from the longest-living communities in the world. During the Ignite phase of the partnership, Blue Zones will assess the current state of our Bucks area community’s well-being through analysis of existing health and well-being data as well as engagement and education with local leaders and community members, culminating in recommendations for a full-scale transformation of our area to a Blue Zone.
Check out Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area’s project page on the Blue Zones website: https://www.bluezones.com/ignite-bucks-area/
Read the press release from the project launch: https://www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/bucks-area-kicks-off-transformative-blue-zones-well-being-initiative/
What’s included in the project area for Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area?
Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area includes the municipalities in the 10th Senate District: Bristol Township, Bristol Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown Borough, Morrisville Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Yardley Borough, Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Upper Makefield Township, Solebury Township, New Hope Borough, Buckingham Township, Doylestown Township, Doylestown Borough, Plumstead Township, New Britain Township, New Britain Borough and Chalfont Borough.
How can I catch up on the events I’ve missed?
- Listen to the recording of the July 9th telephone townhall
- Watch the July 23rd keynote event
- Read the recap of our in-community week
- Sign up to receive updates and invitation to Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area events
What happens during the assessment phase?
Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area is currently in the assessment phase. During this phase, in partnership with my office and Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP), Blue Zones is conducting a community-wide assessment of the Bucks area for the purpose of recommending infrastructure, policy, and other improvements that will help determine how to make our community into a healthier and happier place to live, work, grow up and grow old.
In late July, we brought together hundreds of Bucks Area residents for three days of in-community events with the national Blue Zones organization, engaging community members in focus groups, keynote events and presentations.
Keynote Events
Hundreds gathered for keynote events at the Bristol Wharf and Bucks County Community College’s Newtown campus to learn more about Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area and ask questions of the organization’s experts on built environment, food systems, tobacco and alcohol, and people and places. The July 22nd keynote was delivered by Margaret Brown, VP of Business Development of Blue Zones and the July 23rd keynote was delivered by Dan Buettner, Jr., Executive Vice President of Blue Zones.
Windshield Tours
While the Blue Zones team of experts was in town we led windshield tours of the 10th Senate District, highlighting opportunities to build on existing infrastructure and policies to improve the overall health of the community. The tours focused on parks, trails, schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, supermarkets, healthcare facilities, senior housing and the many businesses on both the main streets of our boroughs and around our townships.
Focus Groups
Blue Zones facilitated a roundtable discussion of healthcare leaders, including Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership and CEOs and leadership from the health systems serving our community, as well as focus group discussions on built environment, schools, worksites, food systems and tobacco and alcohol. Dozens of local experts joined with the Blue Zones team of experts to share their experiences in each of these areas, helping to paint a robust picture of life here in the 10th District.
The assessment phase will continue into the fall, at which time the Blue Zones organization will present recommendations for the potential to transform the 10th Senate District and the next phase of the project.