Initiative Launched To Bring Transformative Blue Zones To Bucks County

NEWTOWN, PA — A transformative initiative to improve the health and well-being of area residents, Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area, was announced on May 31 by State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP).

Funded by a state grant, the Senator and BCHIP have partnered with Blue Zones to conduct a community-wide assessment of the Bucks area to recommend 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.

“The Blue Zones model has the potential to transform our community in a way that will make people’s lives better and allow them to live longer and healthier,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I’m excited to see the assessment phase unfold and I look forward to working with the stakeholders to develop a plan that truly can be transformative.”

The Blue Zones approach is based on their 25 years of research and scientifically proven lessons of longevity, health and happiness, from the longest-living communities in the world, and their work transforming well-being at the population level in more than 75 communities across the country. During the Ignite phase of the partnership, Blue Zones will assess the current state of the Bucks area community’s well-being through engagement and education with local leaders and community members, culminating in recommendations for a full-scale transformation of the area.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Bucks area leaders in this shared vision of a stronger, more resilient future for the region," said Ben Leedle, CEO of Blue Zones and co-founder of Blue Zones Project. "Research shows investing in well-being at the community level brings exponential returns in healthier and happier people, a better and more productive workforce, and a stronger economy, but it takes pioneering community leaders to come together and champion the cause.”

Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area includes Bristol Township, Bristol Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown Borough, Morrisville Borough, Lower Makefield, Yardley Borough, Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Upper Makefield, Solebury, New Hope Borough, Buckingham, Doylestown Township, Doylestown Borough, Plumstead Township, New Britain Township, New Britain Borough and Chalfont Borough.

“BCHIP is looking forward to working with Senator Santarsiero and the Blue Zone team to identify opportunities and new collaborations that will improve the health and wellbeing of our community," said Kimberly Everett, BCHIP Executive Director.

Immediately following the kickoff announcement, the Blue Zones Ignite Steering Committee convened for their first meeting. The Steering Committee is comprised of the area’s healthcare, educational, business and community and infrastructure planning leaders.

“We’ve seen great enthusiasm from community partners about this assessment,” continued Sen. Santarsiero. “Everyone is excited to get started and work together to improve our community. Throughout the summer, we’ll be engaging residents of the 10th District in conversations to learn more about the initiative and to solicit feedback.”

Senator Santarsiero will host a telephone town hall with BCHIP and Blue Zones at 7 p.m. on July 9 to introduce the project to tens of thousands of residents across the Bucks area. Residents in the project area can register to receive the call to join the July 9th telephone town hall at www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/tth.