Walking School Bus

Results

The Proof is in the Zones

Blue Zones Project value dashboard reports on three levels of measurement: Community Well-Being Index, community-reported metrics, and media value.
 

Beach Cities, CA

Beach Cities, CA School Kids
Well-Being Index

Decrease in risk factors to residents' health from 2010 to 2017:

  • 25% drop in overweight adults
  • 36% drop in smoking
  • 4% drop in daily stress
  • Diabetes low at 5%

Increase in residents' healthy lifestyle habits from 2010 to 2017:

  • 8% increase in exercise
  • 6% increase in produce consumption
  • 4% increase in people who are "thriving"
Community

Secured funds to create a more walkable, bikeable and connected community.

  • $8.1 million in grants awarded in the Beach Cities for bike paths and infrastructure improvements
  • City of Hermosa Beach Living Streets Policy ranked among best in the nation by National Complete Streets Coalition

Created change that will impact generations to come.

Media

Featured in more than 1,500 news stories.

1.34 billion media reach between 2010 and 2016.

Nearly $2.7 million in media value secured.

Featured stories include:

  • Forbes
  • CNN
  • LA Times
  • Parade magazine
 

Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, TX Walking Moai
Well-Being Index

Decrease in risk factors to residents' health from 2014 to 2018:

  • 31% drop in smoking
  • 11% drop in high cholesterol
  • 7% drop in high blood pressure

Increase in residents' healthy lifestyle habits from 2014 to 2018:

  • 17% increase in exercise
  • 3% increase in produce consumption
  • Overall well-being score up 3.7 points
  • Fort Worth's metro area equivalent ranking moved up to 58th from 185th out of approximately 190 metro areas

Fort Worth embraces Blue Zones Project:

Community

Strong public-private partnerships led to true collective impact across the city.

  • $6.2 million awarded for Safe Routes to School infrastructure around eight schools
  • A 2018 bond election allocated $8 million for West 7th Street improvements
  • More than $4 million in funding approved for five new electric buses, the first of their kind for the Trinity Metro fleet
  • New tobacco polices eliminated smoking in city parks and ensure smoke-free environments for all Fort Worth employees

Local employers report a healthier, less costly workforce.

  • DFW Airport's healthcare cost increase rate is running 40% below the national trend
  • In just one year, local employer Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee saw a 16% drop in paid medical claims and a 26% decrease in paid pharmacy claims
Media

Featured in more than 2,200 news stories.

2.9 billion in media reach between 2015 and 2018.

Featured stories include:

  • TODAY Show
  • The New York Times
  • Forbes
  • NBC Nightly News
 

Albert Lea, MN

Albert Lea, MN Family Biking
Well-Being Index

Decrease in risk factors to residents' health:

  • 35% drop in smoking from 2010 to 2016
  • 12% drop in high cholesterol from 2014 to 2016
  • 4% drop in high blood pressure from 2014 to 2016

Increase in residents' healthy lifestyle habits from 2014 to 2016:

  • 14% increase in produce consumption
  • 12% increase in community pride
  • 11% increase in people who are "thriving"

Albert Lea embraces Blue Zones Project:

  • 85% community awareness of the Project
  • 55% believe Blue Zones Project has made a positive impact on the community
  • 40% of citizens report being engaged in the Project
  • Read the Albert Lea Case Study to learn more
Community

Walkable community design led to downtown revitalization and vibrancy.

  • 10+ miles of new sidewalks and bike lanes
  • 38% increase in trail usage
  • 15% average annual increase in lodging taxes from 2012 to 2014
  • 12 new businesses opened up on expanded Main Street

Boost in residents' healthy habits had significant economic impact.

  • $8.6 million projected savings in healthcare costs for Albert Lea employers as result of decrease in smoking rates
  • Hy-Vee, a top 25 grocer nationwide, reports 12% increase in produce and health market sales, 35.3% increase in frozen fruit and vegetable sales, and 52.3% increase in water sales in Albert Lea
  • Local energy employer, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, reports 34% decrease in health insurance claims over two-year period
Media

Featured in more than 2,800 news stories.

3.5 billion media reach between 2013 and 2019.

$6.9 million in media value secured.

Featured stories include:

  • ABC Good Morning America
  • Christian Science Monitor
  • USA Today
  • Newsweek