WVU is working toward becoming the first college in the country to participate in the Blue Zones Project, a program that promotes healthier lifestyles by changing the campus environment.
What are Blue Zones?
Blue Zones are five areas in the world where people live longest, and are healthiest: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Blue Zones is dedicated to creating healthy communities across the United States. The first effort, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, was a huge success, which formed the blueprint for the Blue Zones Projects.
How can WVU become a Blue Zone University?
Experts from Blue Zones Project will visit Morgantown, WVU and WVU Medicine over a special four-week assessment period to determine the readiness of the University, medical center and community for the program. Interested university and community members are invited to get involved in the assessment process by attending upcoming overview presentations, focus groups and social events.
How can I get involved, or learn more?
Join a University-wide Town Hall at the WVU Health Sciences Center today (Nov. 8) at 12 noon in the Okey Patteson Auditorium. Bagged lunches will be provided on a first come, first-served basis.
If you can’t join us, you can watch the event live on the Health Sciences website.
Tony Buettner from Blues Zones will join Tara Hulsey, vice president for health promotion and wellness, and Clay Marsh, vice president and executive dean for Health Sciences, for a spirited discussion on how WVU can be a leader in well-being and health transformation.
All faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. The session will be available online for those not able to attend in person.
Learn more on the Blue Zones Project website.