Release
DURANT — Imagine Durant, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, First United Bank, The Massey Family Foundation, Texoma Health Foundation, AllianceHealth Durant, Sharecare, Inc., and Blue Zones, LLC announce the launch of Blue Zones Project® in Durant, Okla. Blue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to enable residents to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic disease and a higher quality of life.
Durant is receiving support from national experts to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based plan for improving community well-being. Based on principles developed by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author of “The Blue Zones” and “The Blue Zones Solution,” Blue Zones Project is designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to the built environment, policy and social networks. Outcomes are measured by the Community Well-Being Index.
“It’s an exciting time as we embrace this unique opportunity to transform the way we view health and well-being in our region. I have been amazed at the results Blue Zones Project has achieved in other communities across the country,” said Gary Batton, Chief of the Choctaw Nation. “We look forward to working with organizations large and small, community members, and the Blue Zones Project team throughout this journey.”
In February, Blue Zones Project will begin a eight-month foundation period where community members will have the opportunity to provide input that will inform a custom Blueprint aimed at tackling priority health risks over the next three years. A local team will be hired to spearhead the work.
Durant joins 50 other Blue Zones Project demonstration communities across North America, including Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. Community members, schools, businesses, grocery stores, restaurants and other organizations in Durant will be given the opportunity to get involved with Blue Zones Project programs and offerings.
“I’m excited to work with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, First United Bank,The Massey Family Foundation, Texoma Health Foundation, and AllianceHealth Durant to blend proven approaches into the local traditions and practices already in place in Durant,” said Michael Acker, SVP and General Manager – Blue Zones Project by Sharecare.
“In blue zones areas of the world, people live in cultures that make the healthy choice nearly inevitable. It’s difficult to change individual behaviors when community behaviors stay the same. While we support individual responsibility, we will focus on changes to the places where we live, work, learn, and play to benefit the well-being of residents.”
For more information about Blue Zones Project, please visit www.bluezonesproject.com.
Are you passionate about Durant and want to transform it into an even better place to live, work, and play? We have opportunities for you. Blue Zones Project by Sharecare is hiring locally.