2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 43
QUALITY OF LIFE
CHARLES COUNTY HEALTH
DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES BLUE
ZONES INITIATIVE, RELEASES REPORT
PROJECTED IMPACT OF BLUE ZONES
IGNITE IN CHARLES COUNTY
Charles Count y par tnered with the Charles Count y
Department of Health, Universit y of Maryland Charles
Regional Hospital, and Blue Zones, the global leader in
longevity research, to launch BLUE ZONES IGNITE. The
initiative was designed to make healthy choices easier
in the places where residents spend the most time — at
home, at work, in schools, and throughout the community. It began with an in-depth readiness and feasibility
assessment to identif y opportunities and strategies to
make Charles County a healthier place to live, work, grow
up, and grow older.
10-20% REDUCTION IN OBESITY RATES
“Blue Zones Ignite allowed us to engage the community
directly to identify challenges and opportunities so that
Charles Count y became a healthier, happier place for
everyone,” said Dianna E. Abney, M.D., Charles County
Health Officer. Mary Hannah, Vice President of Population
Health for UM Charles Regional, added, “This initiative
helped prioritize residents’ healthcare and wellness needs
and implement programs that improved qualit y of life
while reducing healthcare costs.”
community activities contributed to longer,
healthier lives.
Through Blue Zones Ignite, the expert team worked with
Charles County leaders and residents to assess strengths
and needs and developed a policy-focused transformation plan. The long-term vision included stronger family
and community connections, increased access to fresh,
locally grown foods, walkable neighborhoods, and overall
improvements in population health and well-being.
By bringing the principles of Blue Zones to Charles County,
the initiative helped create a community where the healthy
choice was the easy choice, and residents of all ages had
the opportunity to live longer, more fulfilling lives.
10-15% REDUCTION IN TOBACCO USE —
Environmental and social changes encouraged
residents to reduce smoking.
4-14 ADDITIONAL YEARS OF LIFE
EXPECTANCY — Engagement in social and
7-YEAR INCREASE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY
THROUGH PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIVING —
Residents who had a clear sense of purpose
experienced longer lifespans.
4-14 YEARS ADDED BY REGULAR
COMMUNITY OR FAITH PARTICIPATION
— Strong social networks and consistent
involvement improved well-being.
20-50% INCREASE IN RESIDENTS EATING
MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES — Plantforward diets became a staple in daily routines.
$1-$5 MILLION IN POTENTIAL
HEALTHCARE SAVINGS PER COMMUNITY
— Communities saved on healthcare costs
through healthier behaviors and preventive
measures.
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
The Blue Zones approach focused on the environments in
which people live, rather than relying solely on individual
behavior change. By creating permanent and semi-permanent improvement s in policies, social net work s,
streetscapes, and workplaces, the program encouraged
residents to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect
socially as part of everyday life. Improving the Life Radius®
— the area closest to home where most Americans spend
90% of their time — helped other communities achieve
measurable health improvements, including reductions
in obesity and smoking rates, increased economic investment, and lower healthcare costs.
— Participating communities saw double-digit
drops in obesity after implementing Blue Zones
strategies.
100% OF RESIDENTS LIVED WITHIN A
“LIFE RADIUS®” DESIGNED FOR HEALTH
— Walkable neighborhoods, access to fresh
foods, and safe public spaces promoted daily
movement and social interaction.
Watch Charles County Now
to learn more: Youtube.com/
watch?v=r0itAcCyxbw
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