blue zones, longevity, and diversity

The so-called blue zones are locations where most people live long with good health. 

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The Blue Zones are regions in the world where people live significantly longer and healthier lives. The five official Blue Zones are:

Okinawa, Japan: Known for its high number of centenarians and a diet rich in vegetables and tofu.

Sardinia, Italy: Features a strong community and a diet high in whole grains and healthy fats.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Residents have a strong sense of purpose and a diet rich in beans and corn.

Ikaria, Greece: Known for its Mediterranean diet and active lifestyle, leading to low rates of dementia.

Loma Linda, California, USA: Home to a community of Seventh-day Adventists who follow a plant-based diet and prioritize health 

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A factor overlooked is that all these places are extremely homogenous. Being around people who are similarly to you lowers stress and fosters strong relationships. 

Vegetables, seafood, swimming, moderate climate, exercise, no tobacco, moderate alcohol - yes, these are all important. Community and a sense of identity is also important. 

This is Where Black Americans Live Longest - Blue Zones

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After scanning the entire United States, the researchers found that Manassas Park, Virginia, a city of roughly 17,000 located 30 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and Weld County, Colorado, a metropolitan area just north of Denver that’s home to 378,000 people, ranked highest with life expectancies of 96-years-old.

Black folks in those communities are living well past the national average of 74-years-old.

The same can be said for Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Montgomery counties in Virginia — all located outside of Washington, D.C. — where Black residents are living up to 82-years-old, on average.

Coined as “Chocolate City,” D.C. has historically had a large Black population — making up 45% of the district’s population as of 2021.

“If there is a Wakanda in the United States, it’s the DMV,” or the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia corridor, Perry says.

“You have places in Maryland and Virginia, in particular, where Black people are thriving. They’re walking around with Air Jordans. They got the nice, fancy job. They own the homes. They’re living the life, and they’re living longer,” he says.

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The DC metro area is about twice black as the US average (24% vs 12%).