RamaOnHealthcare September 17, 2024
Improved Health and Well-being via Blue Zones
Today, RamaOnHealthcare talks with Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi, and Dan Buettner, Jr.
Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi, Senior Director at Blue Shield of California
Dan Buettner, Jr., Chief Transformation Officer at Blue Zones
RamaOnHealthcare (ROH): Please describe your roles at Blue Shield of California and Blue Zones.
Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi (AE): As director of lifestyle medicine at Blue Shield of California, I oversee the operations and growth of a suite of clinically proven lifestyle medicine programs for our members under the Wellvolution umbrella. Along with driving seamless operations, enrollment, and engagement, my focus is leading the work to rationalize and scale lifestyle medicine programs so our members can benefit from improved outcomes, reverse chronic conditions, and improve their quality of life. In short, alongside my team, I am always working to promote the philosophy that lifestyle is medicine.
…promote the philosophy that lifestyle is medicine.
Dan Buettner, Jr. (DB): I am the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Blue Zones. I focus on advancing return-on-wellness (RoW) solutions for Blue Zones Projects and brands. I work directly with communities to implement the Blue Zones Project, which improves well-being at the population level with a systems and environmental approach to making healthy choices easier. I was also a Blue Zones research team member for three of the four original Blue Zone regions.
…which improves well-being at the population level with a systems and environmental approach….
ROH: Tell us more about Blue Zones and how your research can be applied to different communities.
DB: Based on our identification and research into the world’s most extraordinary populations, the Blue Zones regions are rare longevity hotspots worldwide where people live the longest, healthiest lives. We identify key lifestyle and environmental factors contributing to longer, healthier lives. These factors include a plant-based diet, strong social connections, regular physical activity, a sense of purpose, and the right environment and social network that supports these healthy behaviors.
By implementing strategies to create supportive environments and encouraging these healthy behaviors, entire cities, counties, campuses, workplaces, and neighborhoods have improved well-being and longevity and dramatically reduced obesity and healthcare costs.
…improved well-being and longevity and dramatically reduced obesity and healthcare costs.
ROH: What can we learn from Loma Linda – the Blue Zone in California and the only Blue Zone in the US?
AE: Loma Linda has a great sense of community, partly due to the large number of Seventh-day Adventists in the area. Many residents spend time together, whether it be in church, sharing meals, or going on hikes. Perhaps most importantly, the community often comes together for volunteer work, another avenue of social connection, provides a sense of purpose, and ultimately gives back to other community members.
…the community often comes together for volunteer work….
Community and giving back to one’s community is so powerful, especially in a world where many people experience loneliness. While many in Loma Linda build a community around religion, you can find a community where it feels right to you – whether volunteering at a food bank, joining a running group, starting a book club, or becoming a regular at a local coffee shop.
DB: As Angie mentioned, one of the primary reasons for Loma Linda’s longevity is the significant population of Seventh-day Adventists. This Christian denomination group adheres to a healthy lifestyle (which is part of their doctrine) that includes a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, and a strong sense of faith, family, and community. The Adventist diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, has been linked to lower rates of chronic diseases and longevity in many studies.
In addition to diet, the community’s strong social connections and emphasis on faith and service play a crucial role in their health and well-being. Loma Linda residents often have deep-rooted friendships and a strong sense of belonging and purpose, which have been shown to contribute to overall happiness and longevity.
ROH: Why did your organizations come together to work on the Blue Zones Challenge app?
AE: Blue Zones and Blue Shield of California have been connected for many years – sharing not only updates to work but also an underlying philosophy on how lifestyle has the power to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic conditions. When Dan Buettner wrote his book “Blue Zones Challenge,” Blue Shield asked them if they had considered turning the Blue Zones Challenge into an app. Blue Zones had plans to digitize the Blue Zones Challenge, and we began working together to conceptualize what an app experience would look like. We were looking for a holistic application, and this fit the bill.
…lifestyle has the power to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic conditions.
ROH: How does the Blue Zones Challenge app work?
AE: Inspired by the “Blue Zones Challenge” book, members are encouraged to complete actions inspired by the habits of those living in Blue Zones. These activities include putting a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, eating a cup of beans, putting running shoes by the front door, and spending 30 minutes on a hobby. Each activity is associated with a point value, with members aiming to hit 400 points weekly. One of my favorite app parts is that the work occurs outside of the phone or tablet.
ROH: How can individuals access the Blue Zones challenge app?
AE: Blue Shield of California members can access the app through our Wellvolution platform. We have a dedicated landing page at Wellvolution.com/BlueZones where members can get started. So far, over 2,100 members have downloaded the app, and the number is growing.
DB: We are constantly adding features and creating ways for people to connect with others, including inside the app. The app has launched in some cities where we have Blue Zones Projects and inside organizations to help their people live better, longer lives. You can learn more at Blue Zones Challenge App – Blue Zones.
We are constantly adding features and creating ways for people to connect with others….
Bios:
Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi oversees the operations and growth of a clinically proven lifestyle medicine program suite for Blue Shield of California’s members. She is leading work to rationalize and scale lifestyle medicine programs so members can benefit from improved outcomes, reverse chronic conditions, and improve their quality of life. She has an M.B.A. degree from Golden Gate University, a B.S. in Business from the University of California, Haas School of Business, Berkeley, and is a Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach.
Danny Buettner, son of Blue Zones author and founder Dan Buettner, is a Blue Zones Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer. He showcases the nine common diet and lifestyle habits that connect blue zones in longevity and health and could add 12 years of quality life to the average American. He works to bring the life-changing benefits of the Blue Zones program to communities. He traveled worldwide, including two blue zones (Ikaria and Nicoya), post-earthquake Haiti, and post-civil war Guatemala.