OREGON Four communities across the state invest in well-being for a more livable, vibrant, and healthy future.
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OREGON Four communities across the state invest in well-being for a more livable, vibrant, and healthy future.
We deserve a round of applause.
CONGRATS, OREGON, And maybe even a standing ovation.
FOR PUTTING WELL-BEING Because we made it happen.
ON THE MAP!
In Oregon, we are seizing every opportunity
to move well-being in the right direction. After
launching Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare in
four rural communities, we’ve seen smoking
and obesity rates decline, while healthy eating,
physical activity, and community pride are on
the rise. City leaders, business owners, teachers,
and volunteers are coming together to transform
our environments to places where optimal health
ensues and a culture of well-being flourishes.
Oregon has always been a great place to live,
work, and visit. And it’s only getting better.
We did this together. By putting our personal
and collective well-being first, we’re making
healthy choices easier, creating more economic
opportunities, and ensuring a better quality of
life for everyone. Here’s to making Oregon one
of the healthiest states in the nation, where
residents are living better, together.
THE BLUE ZONES PROJECT JOURNEY
TO TRANSFORM WELL-BEING
6 PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN OREGON 31 RIGHT OUTLOOK
7 An Innovative Sponsor 32 Why Right Outlook Matters
7 A Transformative Solution 35 Organizations with the Right Outlook
8 Measuring the Impact
9 Four Communities Commit to Well-Being
37 EAT WISELY
38 Why Eating Wisely Matters
11 PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN KLAMATH FALLS 42 Organizations Eating Wisely
13 PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN UMPQUA VALLEY
15 PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN THE DALLES 46 CONNECT
17 PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN GRANTS PASS 47 Why Connection Matters
48 Organizations Connecting
21 GUIDE TO THE POWER 9
53 APPENDIX
53 Designated Organizations
24 MOVE NATURALLY
56 Sources
25 Why Movement Matters
28 Organizations Moving Naturally
58 SPECIAL THANKS
PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN OREGON A GREAT STATE What does it take to become a healthier state? What does that mean for those who live and work there? These were the questions on the minds of community leaders across the state of Oregon. An answer came with Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare, a community-wide initiative that united civic leaders, businesses, restaurants, schools, grocers, families, and others in an effort to enhance the community landscape and improve the overall well-being of Oregonians. With this vision as a foundation, the Blue Zones Project partnership is bringing value to communities across the state — with things like improved health, a strong economy, and happier, healthier, and highly productive residents who spend more time living well.
PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP
An Innovative Sponsor A Transformative Solution
Cambia Health Foundation chose to invest in the lives of Blue Zones Project helps transform U.S. communities like ours
Oregonians by bringing Blue Zones Project to the state for into Blue Zones Communities® — areas inspired by the world’s
what would be the cornerstone of Oregon’s Healthiest State longest-lived cultures where people can live longer with a higher
quality of life. The secrets to well-being and longevity are found
Initiative.
in the Power 9® — nine common principles from the blue zones
longevity hotspots of the world.
The goals?
• Health transformation locally, by local leaders Blue Zones Communities are places where residents, employers,
and others collaborate to create environments where healthy
• Improved quality of life through a whole-person approach,
measuring success with the Well-Being Index choices are easier for everyone.
• Increased self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of health The results?
and economic challenges
Vibrant communities where residents are happier, healthier, and
Between 2015 and 2019, Cambia Health Foundation invested
more engaged with each other. Oregon was among the first to
$14.6 million in the Oregon Healthiest State initiative to support
embark on this journey to well-being. Four communities and five
the health and well-being goals of four remarkable rural
years later, the results are undeniable.
communities: Klamath Falls, The Dalles, Grants Pass, and the
Umpqua Valley. The return on investment for the project is and will continue to
manifest and can be measured in a myriad of ways, as the value
Cambia Health Foundation knew that doing so would introduce
captured is unique to each citizen, family and organization.
an innovative approach that moves beyond diet and exercise
regimens and applies the principles of behavioral science to Nearly $8 million in grant funding has already been secured, and
make healthier choices easier choices. The projected outcomes? the projected ten-year medical and productivity savings value is
Improved health and well-being for Oregonians. in excess of $239 Million.
7
PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP
Measuring the Impact
IN COMMUNITIES WITH Change requires action. It isn’t enough to do
SHARECARE COMMUNITY
W E L L- B E I N G I N D E X
HIGHER WELL-BEING, something one time; lasting change, which is
WE HAVE FOUND THAT a central tenet of Blue Zones Project, must be The world’s most definitive
PEOPLE LIVE LONGER, created from permanent and semi-permanent measurement of well-being
HAPPIER LIVES changes and alterations to the environment,
Based on over 3M surveys and over 600
AND BUSINESS AND policies, programs, and social networks. These
elements of social determinants of health
LOCAL ECONOMIES actions allow healthy choices to become easy
data, Sharecare's Community Well-Being
FLOURISH. A RELIABLE choices today and for many years to come.
Index serves as the definitive measure of
WELL-BEING METRIC When Blue Zones Project launched in Oregon community well-being across and within
PROVIDES COMMUNITY in 2015, the state ranked 31st in the nation populations. Measuring well-being gives
AND BUSINESS according to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being policy, community, and business leaders
LEADERS WITH THE Index state rankings. 2019 Community Well- the data to benchmark populations,
DATA AND INSIGHTS Being Index rankings released by Sharecare place understand gaps and opportunities,
THEY NEED TO HELP Oregon in the top quintile for overall well-being and then prioritize interventions
MAKE SUSTAINED nationally. Successful Blue Zones Projects in to measurably improve well-being.
TRANSFORMATION A four Oregon communities contributed to this Improving well-being has been shown
REALITY. AFTER ALL, IF improvement. to lower health care costs and increase
YOU CAN’T MEASURE IT, worker productivity, in turn, enhancing
YOU CAN’T MANAGE IT. organizational and community
competitiveness.
Dan Buettner
New York Times best-selling
author National Geographic Fellow
Blue Zones founder
8
PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP
4 Communities Commit 143
to Well-Being Worksites, schools, grocery stores, and NEVER DOUBT THAT
restaurants achieve Blue Zones Project A SMALL GROUP
designation.
In 2015, Klamath Falls became OF THOUGHTFUL,
the first Blue Zones Project COMMITTED CITIZENS
CAN CHANGE THE
community in Oregon. Following
the initial success in Klamath
31 WORLD; INDEED, IT
Walking School Bus routes created to IS THE ONLY THING
Falls, communities across the state encourage students to move naturally. THAT EVER HAS.
submitted statements of interest to
be selected for the second wave of Margaret Mead
Blue Zones Project in Oregon—three 40
were chosen. Communities received New policies adopted to improve food access,
support from national experts and reduce tobacco use, and enhance built
environments for active living.
thousands of community members.
Across the state, Blue Zones Project has seen:
19,882
Lives impacted by environmental changes W H AT D O E S I T TA K E T O B E A
B LU E ZO N E S CO M M U N I T Y ?
designed to help people move naturally, eat
wisely, develop the right outlook, and connect
Blue Zones Project communities
with others.
complete milestones and show
measurable well-being improvement
12,897
in key areas —individual engagement,
Actions taken by individuals to improve well-
worksites, schools, grocery stores,
being for themselves, their families, and friends.
restaurants, and community policy
— to achieve Blue Zones Community
Certification.
9
THE VISION OF HEALTHIER,
LONGER LIVES THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
IS BEGINNING TO COME
TO LIFE ACROSS THE STATE
OF OREGON. KLAMATH FALLS,
GRANTS PASS, UMPQUA, AND
THE DALLES HAVE MADE
A WISE INVESTMENT IN
THEIR FUTURE. I APPLAUD
THEIR EFFORTS AND LOOK
FORWARD TO FOLLOWING
THE CONTINUED POSITIVE
PROGRESS.
Dan Buettner
New York Times best-selling author
National Geographic Fellow
Blue Zones founder
10
Photo Credit: Kevin N. Hume, Herald and NewsPUTTING WELL-BEING
ON THE MAP IN
KLAMATH FALLS
As a pioneer in innovation, Klamath Falls became the
first community in Oregon to embark on its journey to
transform well-being with Blue Zones Project.
Our neighbors, teachers, and community leaders have made tremendous
strides in optimizing the places where we all live, work, learn, and play.PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN KLAMATH FALLS
New Active Living Options and Avenue opened, providing an opportunity for all
OUR WORK IN citizens to connect to downtown. Safe Routes to
KLAMATH COUNTY Increased Food Access Improve School were created for ten urban and suburban
HAS JUST BEGUN, Klamath Falls’ Well-Being elementary and middle school, and a Joint Use of
AND OUR PROGRESS Facilities agreement was adopted by both local
POINTS TO A REAL Klamath Falls has come together as school districts to promote school grounds as
after-hours parks.
AND POSITIVE a city focused on well-being by using
IMPACT. WE ARE policy as a catalyst to transform our Strolling through our parks, you’ll notice the
LOOKING FORWARD
environment with a focus on healthy grounds are free of tobacco litter and the air is
TO MORE FULLY free of smoke due to a tobacco-free City parks
REALIZING OUR GOAL
foods and active living. and trails ordinance. Since launching Blue Zones
OF BETTER HEALTH Project, tobacco use is trending down in our
AND WELL-BEING FOR Since launching Blue Zones Project efforts, community. Between 2015 and 2018, Klamath
EVERY RESIDENT. exercise habits have increased and obesity is Falls saw a 24 percent decline in smoking.
trending down. Produce consumption among
residents engaged with the project is up, with Our hometown farmers market continues to
Kelley Minty Morris
Klamath County Commissioner those engaged consuming 36 percent more grow as our community embraces a fresh, local
produce than those not engaged with the food movement. Klamath Falls supports local
project, according to the Well-Being Index. In five food access through Klamath Farmers Online
years, we’ve accrued an estimated $21 million in Marketplace (KFOM), a program launched by
medical and productivity value and secured $1.3 Blue Zones Project in 2017 to provide local food
million in grant funding. Our projected 10-year in a year-round virtual farmers market accepting
savings is more than $78 million. cash, credit card, and SNAP benefit payment.
Additionally, Produce Connection sites provided
Klamath Falls committed to planning built over a million pounds of free produce to
environments that encourage healthy movement. residents in 2020.
An urban trails master plan was adopted for
increased connectivity, unified signage, and In Klamath Falls, the culture of well-being
project prioritization. After nearly five years of surrounds you. It’s another benefit of being a Blue
collaboration, a separated bike lane on Oregon Zones Project community.
12PUTTING WELL-BEING
ON THE MAP IN
THE UMPQUA VALLEY
Community leaders and residents across the Umpqua
Valley are focused on community revitalization and
cultivating thriving environments in which to live, work,
learn, and play.
Our efforts resulted in quality-of-life evaluations that have improved by 24
percent.PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN UMPQUA
Better Food, Improved bringing produce and other staples to four food
deserts across the county, healthy foods are
MY CONFIDENCE IN Walkability Inspires Healthy available to more residents. Residents engaged
THE EFFICACY OF Living in the Umpqua Valley with the project are 38 percent more likely to get
BLUE ZONES PROJECT their recommended produce consumption.
REMAINS HIGH, AND The Umpqua region has set a standard
Comprehensive active transportation and SRTS
I AM EXCITED TO for well-being, and residents are plans ensure pedestrians and cyclists have
SEE THE PROGRAM
reaping the benefits. The number of safe routes to get where they need to go. An
CONTINUE TO
residents who consider themselves innovative shade policy, which encourages the
TRANSFORM LIVES IN Parks Commission to proactively consider natural
OUR REGION AS WE to be “thriving” is up more than 17 and artificial provisions for shade, was adopted to
MOVE FORWARD. percent, from 48.1 percent in 2017 to mitigate the high rates of melanoma in Douglas
56.4 percent in 2019. County. A new temporary parklet policy allows
Lance Colley residents to gather outside while enjoying the
Former City Manager
community. Blue Zones checkout lanes in grocery
Roseburg, Oregon Umpqua is planning for the future with a focus
stores offer healthy options like fruits, nuts, and
on active living, healthy food, and the safety
water.
and well-being of our children and families.
Our community benefits from new policies These comprehensive measures have had a
that promote housing diversity, increase food positive ripple effect across the Umpqua Valley.
access, reduce smoking, and create Safe Routes Our region outperformed state of Oregon
to School (SRTS), supported by more than $6 trends from 2017 to 2019, with 22 percent fewer
million in grant funding. residents with poor nutrition, 8 percent less
sendentary behavior, and a 24 percent fewer
Collaborative, community-based food policies
residents with poor life evaluation. The Umpqua
can encourage a healthier local food system,
region accrued an estimated $1,528,500 in
improving access and making produce more
medical and productivity value in just two years.
visible via schools, corner markets, farmers
Our projected 10-year savings totals more than
markets, neighborhood gardens, mobile business,
$65 million.
pantries, and produce prescriptions. Through
programs like Smarter Lunchroom Scorecard, In Umpqua, healthy choices come naturally as
Veggie Rx, and The Outpost Mobile Food Center part of Blue Zones Project.
14PUTTING WELL-BEING
ON THE MAP IN
THE DALLES
In The Dalles, we’re prioritizing the health of our
neighbors, investing in policies and programs to improve
health equity for those who need it most.
We live, work, learn, and play in a community to be proud of, and our well-
being transformation is only just beginning.PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN THE DALLES
The Dalles Residents Thrive on Public Health District. A traffic-calming project
at Dry Hollow Elementary, is making pick-up and
BLUE ZONES PROJECT
Healthy Living drop-off safer for students and parents.
CREATED A SPACE
FOR LOCAL LEADERS The Dalles is a small-town community Residents can breathe easier because of tobacco
FROM COMMUNITY policies that limit smoking in local parks and
designed for a high quality of life.
ORGANIZATIONS TO increased the minimum distance for smoking
Together, we are making changes
MEET REGULARLY from entryways by 15 feet. A year-over-year
AND THINK ABOUT we can be proud of, and they’re measure showed a 27 percent decline in smoking
THE HEALTH OF THE reflected in the 20 percent increase in from 2017 to 2019.
COMMUNITY IN NEW community pride our residents have We’re outperforming the rest of the state when
WAYS. SO OFTEN WE reported since 2017. it comes to nutrition, exercise, healthy weight
FOCUS ON PHYSICAL and life evaluation, resulting in an estimated
HEALTH, BUT THIS $1,340,000 in medical and productivity value in
Health equity is important to The Dalles, and
PROJECT GAVE US two years. Our projected 10-year savings totals
we’ve invested in policies that make it easier
THE OPPORTUNITY for all residents to move naturally and eat
more than $36 million.
TO CONSIDER AND wisely. The Dalles Farmers Market now accepts In The Dalles, the journey to becoming a Blue
WORK TOWARD food-assistance payments and healthy cooking Zones Community has laid an infrastructure that
IMPROVING THE demonstrations are offered through the OSU promotes high levels of well-being for all citizens.
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, Extension Food Hero program. Sustainable
PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND funding for access to physical activity for low-
SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF income families is available through partnerships
OUR COMMUNITY. TO between the Northern Wasco County Parks and
ME, THAT IS REALLY Recreation District and PacificSource insurance.
REVOLUTIONARY. Students at four local elementary schools enjoy
walking to and from school with volunteers as
Lauren M. Kraemer
part of our Walk to School Wednesday program,
MPH, Assistant Professor of
Practice now under the direction of the North Central
Oregon State University Hood River
& Wasco County Extension
16PUTTING WELL-BEING
ON THE MAP IN
GRANTS PASS
It’s not just the climate in Grants Pass. Individuals and
organizations across the community have joined together
to create a Grants Pass that is happier and healthier for all.
More than 2,600 individuals and 30 organizations participated in health and
well-being programs offered through Blue Zones Project.PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP IN GRANTS PASS
Being Healthy is a Way of Life in active transportation options to eight local
schools, while a Safe Routes to School audit
I AM PROUD TO BE
Grants Pass and a new bike and scooter safety program will
PART OF A PROJECT
accommodate more students moving naturally
THAT WILL CONTINUE Grants Pass is a unique community, to school. Students who are active are more
TO HELP IMPROVE THE
and we take pride in being a well- engaged in the classroom. Blue Zones Project
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
being innovator. Local exercise rates schools saw decreased absenteeism and
OUR EMPLOYEES AND improved graduation rates at the high school
OUR COMMUNITY. are up, and obesity is on the decline.
level.
Rich Booth In our community, workplaces care for employees Restaurants in Grants Pass are seeing a return on
CEO their investment in healthy best practices. True
and breaks mean getting up to walk rather than
Siskiyou Community Health Center
sitting in a room. Volunteering is encouraged Juice saw net sales increase 27.5 percent and
as part of the workplace culture of giving back a 23 percent decrease in refunds issued in one
to the community. Several of our worksites quarter. The number of residents eating healthy
are tobacco-free campuses. Engagement in each day is up, thanks to food policy initiatives
well-being activities is on the rise, turnover like Double Up Food Bucks, which increases
and absenteeism are on the decline, and the availability of fresh produce for low-income
more colleagues are completing health risk families, resulting in a 36 percent increase in
assessments. For example, at Siskiyou, the produce sales at local farmers markets.
employee absenteeism rate decreased 15
In Grants Pass, our city is moving toward a place
percent from 2017 to 2018, and the employee
of well-being. As a result of our Blue Zones
annual turnover rate decreased 22 percent in the
Project work, the community’s projected 10-year
same year. Blue Zones Worksites in Grants Pass
savings totals more than $58 million.
promote healthy employees because they are
more productive and more engaged.
Our kids are moving naturally by walking and
biking to school. A Walking School Bus program
allows more students and families better
18PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP
SEE IT IN ACTION Media Coverage Places Oregon B LU E ZO N E S P R OJ E C T
OREGON IN THE NEWS
Communities on National Stage 2,436
Blue Zones Project Oregon Total Mentions
Blue Zones Project in Oregon
Highlight: Klamath Falls
has attracted local and national 1.5B
In 2018, Klamath County was one of four recognition, with more than 1.5 Total Reach
nationwide winners awarded the prestigious
billion media impressions to date. $2,796,822
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture
Total Media Value*
of Health designation. In addition to being
Blue Zones Project has been heralded for
nationally recognized for pursuing innovative
innovative approaches to population health *Publicity value calculated using Cision
ideas and bringing partners together around a Media Monitoring service.
management in notable publications including
shared vision of health, the community received
those noted below.
a $25,000 prize to advance health and well-
being initiatives across the county.
19PUTTING WELL-BEING ON THE MAP
In the News
Cambia Health Klamath Falls earns Umpqua Valley achieves
Foundation Helps certified Blue Zones certified Blue Zones
Launch Blue Zones community status Community status
Project in Oregon Herald and News KPIC
12/15/20 1/22/21
Businesswire
7/28/2015
Oregon officials gear
up to take on Iowa for
‘healthiest state’ crown
The Oregonian
11/12/14
20GUIDE TO THE POWER 9 The landscape for well-being in America cannot be improved without committed partnerships. That’s why leaders across many sectors joined forces to take action and positively impact our residential and business communities. This broad, holistic approach is making healthy choices easier. Using the secrets to longevity as our guide — the Power 9 — businesses and residents have taken actions to make well-being a way of life.
GUIDE TO THE POWER 9
THE POWER 9
P.24
Move Naturally
Make daily physical activity an unavoidable part of your environment.
P.31 Right Outlook
Know your purpose.
Downshift: work less, slow down, and take vacations.
P.37 Eat Wisely
Eat until 80 percent full.
More veggies, less meat and processed food.
Drink a glass of red wine each day.
P.46 Connect
Create a healthy social network.
Connect or reconnect with religion.
Prioritize family.
22EAT WISELY MOVE NATURALLY
W E L L- B E I N G I S G R OW I N G I N O R E G O N , TOGETHER, OREGON RESIDENTS
W H E R E W E F O S T E R R E L AT I O N S H I P S A R E M OV I N G M O R E A N D M OV I N G
W I T H L O C A L FA R M E R S T H R O U G H N AT U R A L LY. S I N C E L A U N C H I N G B L U E
PROGRAMS LIKE VEGGIE RX Z O N E S P R O J E C T, W E H AV E A D O P T E D
A N D K L A M AT H FA R M E R S O N L I N E M O R E T H A N 2 0 B U I LT E N V I R O N M E N T
M A R K E T P L AC E , W H I L E K I D S G R OW P O L I C I E S T H AT S U P P O R T S A F E , A C T I V E
FRESH PRODUCE IN SCHOOL GARDENS T R A N S P O R TAT I O N .
T O E N J OY I N T H E L U N C H R O O M .
OREGON OUTCOMES
RIGHT OUTLOOK CONNECT
MORE THAN 2,360 INDIVIDUALS SOUGHT M O R E T H A N 4 ,1 9 0 O R E G O N R E S I D E N T S
TO R E D I S COV E R T H E I R P U R P O S E BY CONNECTED TO MEMBERS OF THEIR
AT T E N D I N G A P U R P O S E W O R K S H O P A N D C O M M U N I T I E S B Y AT T E N D I N G P U R P O S E
M O R E T H A N 2 ,1 8 5 V O L U N T E E R S P U T WO R KS H O P S TO G E T H E R O R J O I N I N G
T H E I R G I F TS TO U S E BY G I V I N G B AC K TO M OA I S .
THEIR COMMUNITIES.MOVING NATURALLY Together, Oregon residents are moving more, and more naturally. Since launching Blue Zones Project, we have adopted more than 20 built environment policies, making it easier for individuals to walk and bike around our communities safely. We generally exercise too hard, or not at all. However, the world’s longest lived people don’t pump iron, run marathons, or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. They live in places where they can walk to the store, a friend’s house, or places of worship. Their houses have stairs. They have gardens in their yards. It’s not just about moving, it’s about moving naturally.
MOVE NATURALLY
WHY MOVEMENT MATTERS How Moving Naturally Impacts
About 69 percent of the American
Our Community
W H AT ’ S A M O A I ?
population can be classified as City planners, schools, worksites, and
organizations across Oregon have come
overweight or obese.1 Moai is a concept from
together to create environments and support
Okinawa, Japan, that
Our children’s life expectancy is projected to be programs that help Oregonians move naturally.
roughly means coming
shorter than that of their parents for the first Our communities have emerged as leaders
together for a common
time in history. Obesity is not just a health for street and community design that nudges
purpose. When you
problem, it’s an economic one, too. The people to healthier daily habits. Here are some
find your Moai, you
estimated annual health care costs of obesity- reasons why:
find your personal
related illness are a staggering $190 billion, or
board of directors — a
nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending. 1,829
committed group of
Childhood obesity alone is responsible for $14 Walking Moai participants.
individuals supporting
billion in direct medical costs.2
31 each other and working
The good news is there is a solution for this collectively to improve
Walking School Bus routes.
growing issue. Increasing simple movements well-being, for life.
like standing, walking, stretching, and
bending can help burn an extra 350 calories
In the News
a day. Studies show that just by making our
communities more walkable, the prevalence of
obesity can decrease by more than 10 percent.3
That adds up to even bigger possibilities Blue Zones team studies
like lowered incidences of heart disease,
Klamath’s infrastructure
diabetes, and respiratory issues and increased
productivity, vitality, and years of quality life. Herald and News
5/14/2015
25MOVE NATURALLY
TRANSFORMING to Downtown, Gaddis Park, and other areas of
Roseburg is now easier for our residents.
ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE LAST
In 2019, a collaboration between Grants Pass 60 YEARS WE’VE
A community resurgence, anchored School District 7, the City of Grants Pass, and DESIGNED OUR
in putting the well-being of residents Blue Zones Project Grants Pass led to the COMMUNITIES
school district receiving $100,442 in grant AROUND THE
first, is happening in Oregon.
funding to complete a SRTS action plan, and VEHICLE. BUT CITIES
implement a P.E. pedestrian and bicycle safety HISTORICALLY HAVE
Our Blue Zones Project communities, home curriculum at the District’s six elementary BEEN DESIGNED
to nearly 160,000 residents, are investing in schools and two middle schools. The goal is to AROUND PEOPLE AND
making their environments places where well- develop a sustainable equity-based, District-
YOU CAN SEE THAT
being occurs naturally as a way of life. wide Walk and Roll Safety Program that
WITH ROSEBURG’S
promotes a healthy lifestyle and builds personal
In 2018, the Klamath Falls city council passed GREAT DOWNTOWN
responsibility for road safety.
a “Streets for All People” policy, and the City HISTORIC BONES.
of Roseburg followed by passing a Complete
THE MORE WE CAN
Streets Policy in 2020. Complete Streets
CONTINUE TO HONOR
policies ensure roads are safe for all users,
including pedestrians and bicyclists. Positive In the News AND CELEBRATE
PEOPLE WALKING AND
built environment projects are popping up all
BIKING AND USING
across the city, many of which include new trails
TRANSIT —AND OF
and sidewalks to encourage our residents to
move naturally and be more physically active.
Locals rally to increase, COURSE DRIVING
improve safe routes to STILL —THE BETTER
Blue Zones Project Umpqua partnered with the
school BALANCE WE CAN
City of Roseburg to create wayfinding signage
ACTUALLY HAVE.
along the multi-use path in Stewart Park. The Herald and News
signage promotes active transportation, such as 3/1/2017
Samantha Thomas,
biking, walking, running, and other recreational former Built Environment Manager
activities. With wayfinding signage installed Blue Zones, LLC
at key intersections along the path, navigating
the various pathways that connect the park
26LO C A L B U S I N E SS
COMPLETE STREETS DRIVE
Walkers and bicyclists
tend to spend more money
ECONOMIC VALUE
at local businesses than
drivers. Complete Streets
WA L K A B L E
are more accessible to COMMUNITIES THRIVE
walkers and bikers, which
improves traffic to local 55%
businesses. Residents are of Americans would rather
more likely to shop locally P R O P E R T Y VA L U E S E M P L OY M E N T drive less and walk more.7
along Complete Streets,
which invests in local Walkable communities Complete Streets projects 73%
businesses and creates with tree-lined streets and that add pedestrian and currently feel they have no
job growth.4 slowed traffic increase bicycle infrastructure can choice but to drive as much
neighborhood desirability double the amount of jobs as they do.7
60% and property values. created in an area. Complete
Sales increase in shops in Homes located in very Streets projects create 66%
San Francisco’s Mission walkable neighborhoods are 11–14 jobs per $1 million of Americans want more
District after the area valued $4,000 to $34,000 spent while automobile transportation options so
became more friendly to more than homes in infrastructure projects they have the freedom to
pedestrian and bicycle neighborhoods with average create only seven jobs per choose how they get where
activity.4 walkability.5 $1 million spent.6 they need to go.7MOVE NATURALLY
ORGANIZATIONS MOVING NATURALLY
The health of our Worksites Restaurants and Grocery Stores
communities is directly
We spend about one third of our Grocery stores in Oregon remind shoppers
related to the health and that parking further away is one way to easily
waking hours at work.
vitality of our people. add more activity in their day. Restaurants
Over the last fifty years, the percentage of jobs are installing bicycle racks to encourage
Organizations across
requiring moderate physical activity has fallen people to consider active transportation to
Oregon have recognized
from 50 percent in 1960 to 20 percent today.8 common destinations (and work up a healthy
their responsibility to create
That means 80 percent of our jobs are sedentary appetite, too). Small efforts like these make
environments that support
or only require light activity. This decline in moving naturally easier than ever before in our
their employees and patrons
physical activity translates to Americans burning communities.
in moving more.
120–140 fewer calories each day, which results
in burning 12–15 fewer pounds each year. As In the News
waistlines expand so do our medical costs.
Annually, obesity-related illnesses cost more than
$190 billion in healthcare costs. And $153 billion
in lost productivity annually.2 Blue Zone: Extending
length and quality of life
With so much time spent at work, it’s important
that these environments are set up to help people Mail Tribune
move more. Our communities saw 67 worksites 1/22/2018
complete actions to help people move more,
including adding standing desks, sharing walking
routes, and offering stretch breaks and fitness
classes. These are small changes that lead to
huge results for the average person over the
course of a career.
28MOVE NATURALLY
Schools
Every day, children are learning Our communities saw 22 schools complete
WA L K I N G H E L P S K I D S
actions to get students moving, including
habits they will carry for the rest of
adding Walking School Buses, brain breaks, and Children who walk to
their lives. additional recess and physical education time. school are more alert
Establishing healthy habits like moving naturally and ready to learn,
Dry Hollow Elementary School in The Dalles
is so important in the early stages of life. Physical strengthen their social
implemented traffic calming measures as part of
activity and stretch breaks during the school day networks and develop
Safe Routes to School efforts to ensure students
can improve grades, increase concentration, and lifetime fitness habits.10,11
can travel safely to and from school.
improve math, reading, and writing test scores.9 A Walking School Bus
Blue Zones Project Umpqua played a key role allows a group of
Additionally, research shows that including in forming a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) task children to walk to
10-minute activity breaks on a daily basis can force responsible for assessing priority schools school under the
promote improvement across these areas by up for infrastructure improvements and pursuing supervision of two
to 20 percent. grant funding. As a result of their dedication, or more adults.
nearly $5 Million in grant funding has been
secured for Safe Routes projects near Green
In the News Elementary and Canyonville Elementary schools.
A $4 Million road improvement will be produced
for the community, including a new traveling bike
fleet and trailer for Douglas County, and two new
County receives $2 staff positions housed under Douglas County
Education Service District (ESD) that will focus
million Safe Routes to
solely on SRTS programs for the entire county.
School grant
KQEN
1/21/2019
29MOVE NATURALLY
HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL
CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS NOW HAVE MORE
OPPORTUNITIES TO WALK
AND BIKE BECAUSE OF THE
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
PROGRAM... EACH YEAR WE
CELEBRATE WALK AND BIKE
TO SCHOOL DAY WHERE
OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL WALKS
AND BIKES TOGETHER, AND
OUR STAFF HAS NOTICED A
CONSIDERABLE DROP IN THE
NUMBER OF BEHAVIORAL
ISSUES WE HAVE DURING
THOSE DAYS.
Amy Rodriguez
Principal
Green Elementary School
302,185+
residents donated their time, skills,
and energy to give back to their
communities. Volunteer hours across
Oregon have added immeasurable
value to our communities.
Having the right outlook is a common thread in
blue zones areas.
The longest-lived people have regular habits to
shed stress. Okinawans take a few moments each
day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray,
Ikarians take a nap, and Sardinians enjoy happy
hour. It doesn’t matter what you do, just so long
as it helps you keep the right outlook.
Blue zones centenarians also put an emphasis on
RIGHT OUTLOOK
connecting with their reason for being. Whether
through family, career, or community, living with
purpose pays off. Blue Zones researchers have
found that people who have a clear sense of
purpose in life tend to live about seven years
longer than those who don’t.1RIGHT OUTLOOK
WHY RIGHT OUTLOOK MATTERS
No matter where we live, How Right Outlook Impacts
stress and the pressures Our Community
of daily life can weigh
Through volunteering, Purpose Workshops, and Purpose
us down. Moais, Blue Zones Project communities across Oregon
Practicing regular methods to help individuals discover their innate gifts. We help our
downshift from everyday stress community members find opportunities to match their
and understand our purpose passion and commitment with volunteer opportunities
can improve well-being. Stress to deepen their sense of purpose.
leads to chronic inflammation,
Oregon is thriving. Since 2017, our residents’ outlook
which is tied to every major
is on the rise. More than half of all residents fall into
age related disease.
the “thriving” category when reflecting on their life
Research shows that those evaluation, up nearly 15 percent in communities like
who connect with a sense of Umpqua, according to the Community Well-Being Index.
purpose and wake up to live
with it each day outlive those
who don’t. In fact, those with
a sense of purpose had a 15 THRIVING
percent lower rate of early Well-being that is strong, consistent, and
death than those who did not.12 progressing in a particular element.
STRUGGLING
Well-being that is moderate or inconsistent in a
particular element.
SUFFERING
Well-being that is very low and at high risk in a
particular element.
32RIGHT OUTLOOK
OUTCOMES
BY THE NUMBERS
With innumerable hours donated by more than [THE PURPOSE] MOAI
2,185 volunteers, residents in Oregon gave back PROGRAM HAS HELPED
to their communities through clean-up days, ME REESTABLISH
2,362 food drives, COVID-19 relief, and more. MYSELF AND HAS BEEN
Purpose Workshop participants. AN AMAZING CATALYST
More than 100 residents of The Dalles
TO MOTIVATE ME IN A
2,185 have participated in community clean-
MEANINGFUL DIRECTION
ups, contributing to a 7 percent increase in
Blue Zones Project volunteers. IN MY LIFE PURPOSE.
community pride.
THE PROGRAM ITSELF
In Klamath Falls, the city’s annual Give Back IS BEYOND ANYTHING
Day evolved into Give Back Week and supports I’D EXPECTED,
organizations like Klamath-Lake Counties Food
AND MEMBERS OF
Bank, the Red Cross, and Klamath County
EACH OF THE TWO
Disaster Recovery.
GROUPS I JOINED
Additionally, 2,362 people sought to discover WERE ABSOLUTELY
their gifts and deepen their sense of purpose WONDERFUL;
through Purpose Workshops. THEIR INPUT WAS
VERY HELPFUL AND
Blue Zones Project Umpqua partnered with The
DIFFERENT IN EACH GO-
Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center to
ROUND.
hold Purpose Workshops within the detention
center and at the church annex, providing
Terry Grove
local youth who need it most with a better
Purpose Moai Participant
understanding of the power of purpose.
33WELL-BEING SAVES
EVERYONE MONEY
I T PAY S T O B E H A P P Y
Respondents in the “thriving”
category averaged $4,929 per
person annually in disease burden
THRIVE, DON’T SUFFER
cost versus $6,763 a year for
For employees with the highest respondents in the struggling
levels of well-being — those with and suffering categories. For an
W H AT I S D I S E A S E B U R D E N ?
the highest scores in the “thriving” organization with 1,000 workers,
category — the cost of lost Disease burden cost is how much thriving employees would cost their
productivity is only $840 a year. money a person spends due to employers $1.8 million less every
Among the “suffering” employees — disease, including high blood year. Furthermore, the average
those with the lowest scores in the pressure, high cholesterol, heart annual new disease burden cost for
“thriving” category — the annual per disease, back pain, diabetes, people who are thriving is $723,
person cost of lost productivity due depression/anxiety, and sleep compared with $1,488 for those who
to sick days is $28,800.13 apnea/insomnia. are struggling or suffering.13RIGHT OUTLOOK
ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE RIGHT OUTLOOK
BLUE ZONES
Organizations across Oregon are In Klamath Falls, Sky Lakes Medical Center saw PROJECT GIVES ME
700 employees and spouses complete their A COMPETITIVE
creating environments and practices
annual risk-factor assessment and nearly 400 ADVANTAGE. I’VE
that encourage the right outlook. By have used the wellness center for fitness and BROUGHT PEOPLE
keeping this top of mind throughout health management programming. Sky Lakes’
IN FROM OUT OF
the community, everyone is enjoying workplace culture supports healthier choices
THE STATE BECAUSE
because when employees are able to care for
more health and vitality. THERE SIMPLY IS NOT
themselves, they are better able to care for their
ENOUGH HEALTH
patients.
CARE WORKFORCE
Worksites HERE, THEY SEE WE
ARE INVOLVED IN
Fewer than 50 percent of Americans
BLUE ZONES, AND
find meaning at work. Employers that
SEE THAT AS VERY
invest in making work meaningful for INNOVATIVE AND AS
their employees are more likely to see A TRUE STATEMENT
production rise and turnover OF CARE FOR OUR
EMPLOYEES.
decrease.14
Our communities saw 67 worksites complete Dr. Gregory Bigham
CEO
actions to help improve outlook and purpose
Adapt
among employees, including creating
designated quiet spaces, posting the company
mission or vision, encouraging volunteering,
and offering Purpose Workshops.
35RIGHT OUTLOOK
Schools implemented a community meeting to help
students become mindful of their emotional
MANY SCHOOLS ARE
Mindfulness is paying attention to states, goals, and support resources in their
DOING GREAT THINGS
lives. This action is an initiative toward self-
the here and now with kindness ON THEIR OWN, BUT
regulation and charting progress in goal setting,
and curiosity. both in the school environment and in life.
THROUGH BLUE
ZONES PROJECT, THE
Research suggests that teaching mindfulness
SCHOOLS WORKED
skills to students increases attention and In the News TOGETHER TO
improves social skills while decreasing
SOLVE PROBLEMS.
test anxiety. It also creates a sense of calm
THROUGH OUR
connection to nature, and it improves sleep.
WORK, STUDENTS
These skills allow children to better cope with Senior Living: What
AND STAFF IN OUR
the stress and noise in life.15 gives life meaning and
DISTRICT HAVE BEEN
Our communities saw 22 schools implement purpose? ABLE TO BETTER
programming to support the community’s Columbia Gorge News THEIR WELL-BEING
youngest minds. Research shows that students 7/1/2020 BY MAKING HEALTHY
who participate in well-being programs
CHOICES A LITTLE BIT
improved in the areas of empathy, perspective
EASIER.
taking, optimism, emotional control, and
mindfulness. They also were more likely to show
Theresa Ross
improvements on trustworthiness, helpfulness, Physical Education Teacher
and sharing while showing less rule breaking Shasta Elementary School
and starting fewer fights than the control
group.15
High schools like Phoenix School in Umpqua
have innovated further, becoming local pioneers
in the implementation of restorative justice and
conscious discipline practices. Phoenix School
36Our communities made it easier
for residents to adopt a plant-slant,
by connecting consumers and
organizations with local farmers,
revamping corner markets, and
enrolling individuals in Veggie Rx
programs.
Eating wisely is not a diet plan, it’s a way
of life in blue zones areas. Residents of
Okinawa, Japan have a smart strategy for
maintaining a healthy weight. Before meals
they say “hara hachi bu,” which means stop
eating when you’re 80 percent full. Studies
show that cutting back on calories can
lead to better health, longevity, and weight
loss. Centenarians in blue zones areas eat
a plant-packed diet with a variety of fresh
fruits, vegetables, and beans. Rich in disease
fighting nutrients, fava beans, black beans,
soy beans, and lentils are the cornerstone of
their diets. Don’t diet; eat wisely.
EAT WISELYEAT WISELY
WHY EATING How Eating Wisely Impacts
WISELY MATTERS Our Communities BY THE NUMBERS
It is estimated that by 2030, 86 People make more than 200 food Since the early 1900s plate
percent of the American population decisions every day.19 Blue Zones sizes have grown from
will be overweight or obese if current Project helps people choose wisely.
eating habits and exercise habits
9.5 INCHES
remain the same.16
Our Oregon communities implemented small
TO
changes and defaults in restaurants, worksites,
grocery stores, and schools. For example:
12.5 INCHES19
Food is fuel, and what we eat impacts our
Restaurants created new, irresistible, good-for-
productivity, too. A 2012 study revealed that
you menu options. Grocery stores stocked their We've increased how
unhealthy eating is related to a 66 percent
shelves with nutritious, tasty foods. Schools much we eat by
increased risk of loss of productivity. Health
removed vending machines so kids aren’t
related employee productivity loss accounts 27%
tempted by sugary snacks and sodas during the
for 77 percent of all productivity loss and costs
school day.
employers up to three times more in annual
health care expenses.17
In addition to looking and feeling better, the 554 cooking classes with participants bringing
benefits of healthy eating are numerous. In healthier cooking home to their families.
the U.S. estimated savings are $114.5 billion 37 Blue Zones-inspired menu options added at
per year (in 2012 dollars) in medical savings, restaurants across Klamath Falls.
increased productivity, and reductions in
74 percent of enrolled patients in the first
heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and
three years of Veggie Rx program in Umpqua
osteoporotic hip fractures.18 Poor diet is a major
increased their overall produce consumption.
risk factor for these five health conditions, all of
which reduce life expectancy. By making subtle
but substantial changes to our food options, we
can be healthier.
38EAT WISELY
Growing Well-Being
With community gardens springing
up each season, our communities
are literally growing well-
being, increasing social equity,
and promoting environmental
stewardship.
Communities like the Umpqua Valley recognize
the value of urban agriculture and the Gateway
Community Garden emerged as a top priority.
The location of the new garden was selected
in a Southeast Roseburg food desert, and has
become a symbol of continued beautification
and revitalization efforts in the neighborhood.
Schools are taking part, too, with gardens at
Blue Zones schools tended by students. In
Umpqua, 32 students enrolled in Fir Grove
Elementary’s Gardening After School Program.
The program, offered in collaboration with OSU
Extension, distributes harvested produce to
families in need through the lunch box express
program. The produce is also used in nutrition
education and some even makes its way onto
plates in the lunchroom as salads, sides, and
entrées.
39COMMUNITY GARDENS
PEAS IN A POD HOME IS WHERE THE GARDEN IS
K N OW L E D G E I S P OW E R
People who garden tend to eat An American Community Gardening
Schools are taking part, too, with
more fruits and vegetables on a Association report showed
gardens at Blue Zones Schools
daily basis. In a survey of home and community gardens can increase
tended by students. The produce is
community gardeners in San Jose, home prices for residences near the
being used in nutrition education.
California, participants doubled their garden as much as 9.4 percentage
vegetable intake and consumed points within five years. The report Students who have access to school
the nationally recommended daily also showed community gardens garden programs score significantly
servings of vegetables. Another contribute to a reduction in violent higher on science achievement
study from Denver, Colorado, and non-violent crime in the tests than students who are taught
showed gardeners ate more fruits neighborhood and an overall increase by strictly traditional classroom
and vegetable than nongardeners.20 in the feeling of safety.21 methods.22EAT WISELY
In the News
Gateway Community
Garden opens in
downtown Roseburg
KPIC News
10/5/2020
Find Your Farmer event
draws larger crowds
Herald and News
1/9/2018
41EAT WISELY
ORGANIZATIONS EATING WISELY
BY THE NUMBERS
Changes made to our People appreciate the change. In a study of
sales at chain restaurants between 2006 and
restaurants, grocery stores, 1,000 CALORIES
2011, chains that increased their better-for-you/
and schools can make a huge low-calorie servings saw a 5.5 percent increase in a typical American entrée in
impact on the health and in same-store sales, while those that did not a restaurant.23
well-being of the community suffered a 5.5 percent decrease.
2 EXTRA POUNDS
as a whole. By working Twenty-nine Oregon restaurants have made gained a year by eating one meal away
together, we can make eating healthy food choices easier — things like offering from home a week.24
half-size portions, creating new healthy entrées
wisely second nature, not a
for adults and children, serving food on smaller 5.5% INCREASE
chore. plates, and serving healthier sides as the default in same-store sales at restaurants
option. that increased their better-for-you/
low-calorie servings between
Restaurants Shanti’s Indian Cuisine in Roseburg offers
2006 and 2011.24
numerous plant- based options, featuring local
The typical American entrée (without
an appetizer or dessert) has 1,000
produce as well as gluten-free and dairy-free 5.5% DECREASE
items. In the months after becoming a Blue in sales at restaurants that did not
calories, with some entrées ranging
Zones Project Approved™ restaurant, the owners increase their better-for-you/
up to a shocking 2,500 calories!
reported a 35 percent increase in sales. low-calorie servings.24
For the average adult, eating one
meal away from home each week In Grants Pass, The Vine saw average ticket sales
translates to gaining roughly two and sales per customer increase 7 percent in
extra pounds per year. With nearly just one year. Customers can easily make healthy
one half of every food dollar spent choices with Blue Zones-inspired menu options at
on food prepared outside the home, their favorite local eateries.
it’s important that restaurants make
it easier for their customers to make
the healthy choice by offering healthy
entrées.
42EAT WISELY
Grocery Stores Since 2016, Sherm’s Thunderbird Market in
Klamath Falls has seen a five percent increase
I’M VERY PLEASED
TO SEE THE The actions we take to determine what in produce sales. Items placed in Blue Zones
checkout lanes outperform those in other
GROCERY STORES we eat begin at the grocery store.
checkout lanes and have yielded an additional
ADOPTING BLUE
Many grocery stores currently lead people to five percent in sales.
ZONES PRINCIPLES.
unhealthy foods in the way they are designed,
I SEE FRUIT BEING Within six months of introducing the Blue Zones
the deals they promote, and the packaging of the
OFFERED AS SNACKS checkout lane at Sherm’s Grocery Store in
food they sell.25 Our communities are taking the
FOR THE KIDDIES, Roseburg, bottled water sales rose 44 percent.
lead in taking the grocery store back.
Offering healthy options allows consumers to
AND SHELVES BY
Eight grocery stores complete actions to more easily make healthy choices in Oregon.
THE REGISTERS NOW
make healthy food choices easier — things like
OFFERING HEALTHY
sharing healthy recipes, offering cooking classes,
SNACKS. IT WOULD
ensuring water is available in checkout lanes,
APPEAR THAT PEOPLE
offering healthy foods on end caps and in special
IN KLAMATH COUNTY
displays, and offering a Blue Zones checkout lane
ARE EMBRACING A
full of healthy options.
BLANKET OF HEALTHY
CHOICES. 60%
of the food we purchase is highly processed,
Lynda Crocker Daniel
fatty, salty or sugary.26
TPEP Coordinator
Klamath Tribal Health & Family
Services 44%
increase in bottled water sales within six months
at Sherm’s Grocery Store in Roseburg after
introducing the Blue Zones checkout lane.
43EAT WISELY
Worksites Schools
Students who attend schools that sell
Seventy percent of Americans With childhood obesity at 17 percent,
low-nutrient, high-calorie foods and sugar-
there’s never been a more important time
eat at their desks several times sweetened beverages have lower intake
to examine what students are eating at
a week, which can lead to school.28 The place they go to learn about
of fruits, vegetables, and milk at lunch and
higher daily percentages of calories from
distracted, disengaged, and history and science should be the place
total fat and saturated fat.29
mindless overeating.27 they go to learn about eating wisely as well.
Redesigning the school lunchroom is a
Twenty-two of our schools completed
In Oregon, 67 worksites completed actions simple and cost-effective way to nudge
actions to make healthy food choices easier
to make healthy food choices easier — students into eating healthier without
for students — things like growing gardens
things like starting healthy potlucks and creating strict policies. Research by Cornell
and starting farm-to-school programs,
worksite gardens, improving cafeteria University found that simple changes
redesigning lunchrooms to nudge students
options, and adding healthy choices to to the lunchroom design tripled salad
toward healthier foods, and implementing
vending machines. sales, doubled fruit sales, doubled sales
new policies around celebrations and
of healthy sandwiches, and reduced the
JELD-WEN in Klamath Falls contracted fundraising with food.
purchase of ice cream.19 By optimizing the
with a new food-service vendor for a
Eight Blue Zones schools in Klamath school environment, students are nudged
self-pay pantry that incentivizes healthier
Falls added new water bottle filling towards healthier choices.
options for colleagues. And Siskiyou
stations, implemented non-food birthday
Community Health Center in Grants Pass
added an on-site employee garden to
celebrations, and offer increased nutrition 5 point
education programs. Elementary schools in average increase in Smarter Lunchroom
promote well-being.
The Dalles and the Umpqua Valley added Scorecard assessments for participating
school gardens and cooking classes that Umpqua Valley schools, with many schools
teach our students about growing and moving from Bronze to Silver level .
preparing healthy foods.
7%
increase in produce consumption between
2017 and 2019 among UC-VEG partner
program participants in Roseburg.
44EAT WISELY
WE ARE BIG ADVOCATES OF
FOOD THAT IS FLAVORFUL
WITHOUT BEING OVER-SALTED
AND FULL OF OIL; WE BELIEVE
THAT PLANT-BASED MEALS
SHOULD NEVER COMPROMISE
ON FLAVOR. THE SUPPORT WE
RECEIVED FROM BLUE ZONES
PROJECT IS INVALUABLE TO
OUR MISSION AND CONTINUES
TO HELP OUR BUSINESS GROW
IN WAYS WE HAD NEVER
IMAGINED.
Shobana Randev
Manager
Shanti’s Indian Cuisine
454,191 Oregon residents built strong relationships with new friends while exploring their communities in Moai groups or joining neighbors at CONNECT Purpose Workshops. The world’s longest-lived people in blue zones areas have always understood the power of social connectedness and putting their loved ones first. In Okinawa, “Moais” — groups of about five people who commit to each other for their whole lives — provide social connection and emotional and sometimes financial support in times of need. Moai members have the security of knowing there is always someone there for them. Putting family first and investing time with loved ones can add up to six years to your life.30 Having a sense of belonging is an important part of enjoying a long and healthy life. It doesn’t matter which faith you belong to, studies have shown that people who belong to a place of worship and attend four times a month live four to fourteen years longer than those who don’t.3`
CONNECT
WHY CONNECTION MATTERS
Our connections to How Connectedness Impacts
friends, family, and Our Community
those around us are
Spending time with people who positively
very powerful. influence one another is crucial. In Oregon, we
They have the ability to shape embrace the power of social connections to bring
our lives in more ways than citizens together through groups, clubs, and
we realize. Research shows faith-based organizations. Our communities also
that even your friends’ friends’ encourage social connections throughout Grants
friends — people you don’t Pass, Klamath Falls, The Dalles, and Umpqua with
even know — have the ability to our community parks and along new trails.
affect your health, happiness,
In Klamath Falls, Healthy Klamath is pursuing
and behaviors.32
a Campus Wellness Zone, to support a culture
of well-being where a community of local
A REAL BONDING
champions provide support and social connection EXPERIENCE HAS FORMED.
to those wishing to improve their health and well-
being. Additionally, the Wellness Zone will make IT IS A BEAUTIFUL
healthy food choices widely available, encourage MERGING OF HEARTS,
and enable physical activity, and prohibit smoking
of any kind. MINDS, KINDNESS, AND
More than 1,829 people have joined Walking FRIENDSHIPS.
Moais throughout Grants Pass, Klamath Falls,
Holly C.
The Dalles, and the Umpqua Valley, building
Walking Moai Participant
long-lasting friendships while exploring our
communities on foot.
47CONNECT
ORGANIZATIONS CONNECTING
There are many ways to promote Potluck, Bowling Night, Golf Scramble, During COVID options met “stay home,
Trail Days, and End of Summer Barbecue, save lives” criteria. Instead of holding big
connections in organizations
colleagues and their families connect over events across the community, organizers
throughout our communities. By healthy meals and movement year-round. encouraged delivery of groceries to lvoed
providing these opportunities, ones, promoted the Red Cross blood drive,
everyone in the community feels promoted donation of food to Klamath-
Lake Counties Food Bank, encouraged
like a part of something bigger. Schools registration with Recovers (a local disaster
Students will tell you that they’re connected recovery), promoted litter pick up, and
with their classmates, but they mean that encouraged residents to help neighbors
Worksites they’re connected by their cellphones, with yard work.
which children receive at the age of ten, on
The digitization of the workday has done average. To bolster real, human interaction,
wonders for productivity but not so much
for social connectivity. Americans change
schools across Oregon got students to plug
Restaurants
in differently.
jobs more often than ever before, and Eating together fosters togetherness in all
working from home or in isolated conditions Students join residents from across Klamath
kinds of families, even those that are the
can further a lack of socialization among Falls every year for Give Back Day, with
size of whole communities. There is no
coworkers and peers. more than 15,000 students connecting with
better opportunity to connect than around
others through volunteerism since 2014.
a dining table.
Our communities saw 67 worksites
complete actions to help employees Outdoor dining options were expanded
connect with on another socially, including in communities like Umpqua and Grants
things like offering “lunch with a co-worker” Pass as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,
programs, flexible work schedules, strengths providing more opportunities for people to
assessments, and Moais. connect deeply with their loved ones and
community while enjoying a healthy meal
The City of Roseburg wellness committee
d outdoors.
prioritizes social well-being programming.
Through events like the Holiday Employee
48You can also read
