COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND
BENEFIT
HOW AND WHY ALBERT LEA
• AARP Blue Zones was seeking a community of
10,000 to 20,000 with very average health
statistics.
• City was invited to submit proposal as to how
it would respond to a “health makeover”.
• City’s response was concise in addressing
questions indicating ability to do project.
• City had leadership and organizations in place
and a clear structure for collaboration.
BLUE ZONE PRACTICES TO BE
ADOPTED BY COMMUNITY
• Improving Community Environment – Making the
active option the easy option where people, work, live,
and go to school.
• Emphasizing Social Networks – Your social circle has a
quiet, but powerful impact on your long term health
behaviors.
• Improving Habitat – Making subtle changes to your
home and work environment to increase calories
burned and reduce calories eaten.
• Finding a sense of purpose – People who have a
purpose in life live approximately seven years longer
than people who tend to drift through the day.
IMPROVING COMMUNITY
ENVIRONMENT
• Move Naturally – Make changes in the community that
help people easily walk and bike to destinations.
• Dan Burden walkability study – National expert came
to community and did a walkability audit (minus 35
degrees wind chill).
• Community will amend plans and close gaps in
pedestrian and biking system.
• Changes in safety and comfort level in walking/biking,
downtown environment, lighting, trees and shade.
• Roadway diets, installation of bike lanes.
IMPROVING COMMUNITY
ENVIRONMENT
• More nutritious options –Nutrition expert, Dr.
Leslie Lytle, University of Minnesota has
audited schools, institutions, and industry to
assist them in providing healthy choices in
food service.
• Churches are also considering changes such as
serving fresh fruit instead of donuts for after
church fellowship.
EMPHASISING SOCIAL NETWORKS
• Social networks include the formation of
moais for neighborhood support, walking,
biking, and sharing. These include church and
club functions and just connecting with
positive and enjoyable people.
• Walking moais, picnics in the park, and the
walking school bus are programs being
activated that help establish social networks
and other benefits of the Vitality Project.
IMPROVING HABITAT
• Dr. Brian Wansink, PHD, author of Mindless Eating is working with
restaurants and families to help make small changes in the way
food is presented, served, and stored. This helps people make the
simple choices. The red grapes or chocolate pudding, what is
easiest to see and reach?
• Restaurants and families are being encouraged to change plate size
to 10 inches, reducing how much we put on our plate. We eat until
the plate is empty.
• Dr. Lytle, PHD, and Dr. Wansink are working with grocery stores to
label “LONGEVITY FOODS” and make them easily accessible.
• Families are urged to remove TV sets from kitchens and dining
rooms, since we often eat until the show is over.
• People are encouraged to move more within the home and to deconvenience by using fewer remote controls.
FINDING A SENSE OF PURPOSE
• Life purpose seminars are being presented by
Richard Leider and Barbara Hoese, both
nationally recognized executive trainers in
determining personal purpose and gifts.
• A volunteer network has been established for
people to put their personal gifts to work.
REPLICATION
• A project goal is to have 5,000 people living and
or working in Albert Lea take the Vitality Compass
in the next few weeks and also in October to
demonstrate change.
• Change in Vitality Compass statistics will
demonstrate whether a community can
accomplish a “health makeover” and add two
years good longevity or 10,000 years total.
• The results from the second Vitality Compass will
be an indication of the effect of the different
initiatives.
REPLICATION
• If there can be cultural change to a healthier
way of life in Albert Lea can this change
process be replicated in other communities?
• Will a cultural change result in a sustainable
paradigm shift in personal and community
health responsibility?
• Will this paradigm shift result in a long term
change in national health policy?
U. S. HEALTH CULTURE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Indestructible Nation
Coddled Kids
Fast and comfort food
Convenience
Be irresponsible because there is a fix
Drive me! Walking is dangerous!
Too busy with activities
CULTURAL CHANGE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Let’s walk
Give me responsibility
Teach me to cook
Eat my vegetables
Let me downshift – Give me time and space
My health is my gift to the community
Don’t make the doctor be the fix
SUSTAINABILITY
• A collaboration is being established to ensure
sustainability of the vitality initiative after the pilot
AARP Blue Zones Vitality Project officially ends Oct. 30.
• Corporations and organizations that have shown
success in the project will be invited to be “Partners in
Vitality” and will sign a vitality contract.
• An annual event and reporting will help keep the
initiative and intended culture change before the
public.
• Regular recognition of “success in Vitality”.
THANK YOU!