What's a Blue Zone? How Klamath County, OR changed its health trajectory as a certified Blue Zone

Rural hospitals are community strongholds, serving as the key point of care for nearly 20% of Americans. Beyond providing healing and hope, rural hospitals nationwide are pillars of their local economies, creating essential jobs that support families and community vitality. Many rural communities struggle with health issues that extend beyond their hospital’s walls. Issues such as transportation, housing, employment, food security, economic stability and other social determinants have an impact on the physical and mental well-being of a community. Hospitals are taking the lead to address social determinants as a response to population and community health. On this episode, we hear from leaders from Klamath Falls, Oregon who have combined resources to establish a certified Blue Zones Community that is a community-led, well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a town’s environment, policy, and social networks.