The number of Iowa cities and towns still in the running to be among the 10 chosen as Blue Zones communities has been narrowed to 58 . Those communities have been invited to move on to the next step in the process, which is to submit a formal application by January 4, 2012. Early in November, 84 communities completed the first step of the Blue Zones process by providing a basic “statement of interest.”

At that time, about three-fourths of the communities were home to at least one hospital. Now, all but a few of the invited applicants are hospital communities and hospital leaders are excited to be part of the process.

“From the start of this project, Pella’s effort has been a true community effort,” said Bob Kroese, CEO of Pella Regional Health Center. “We’ve had numerous meetings with representation from our industries, schools, small businesses as well as the health care organizations. It’s rewarding to see the community take hold of the Blue Zones concept and support it.”

“People expect, and should, that the hospital in their community will take a strong leadership role in improving the health of the community and we were excited to step up.” said Jason Harrington, CEO of Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. “Although it’s always been the responsibility of the community hospital, there is a renewed commitment due the changes we’re seeing under health care reform and with managing population health. Strategically speaking, Blue Zones is a great fit for us.”

“We have heard nothing but positive comments from our community and its leaders,” said Kyle Richards, CEO of Waverly Health Center.  “Our community has many of the components already in place and Waverly wants to take the next step with bringing it altogether in our evolution of being a Blue Zones community.”

If the statement of interest was the communities simply raising their hands, the actual application requires each community to stand up and make the case of for inclusion in the demonstration project. Among other factors, the application must show the community has a relatively streamlined local government structure with only one city council and school district and that most of the population lives and works within the community.

Project resources, like meeting places and office space for the Blue Zones team, must be available and local leaders and media must indicate their willingness to participate. Each community is expected to maintain a Facebook page. And along with showing community support for Blue Zones participation (which is tracked through an online scoreboard), the community should be able to illustrate strong volunteer support for past projects.

Following assessment of the formal applications, a group of finalist communities will be selected to host site visits between February 27, 2012 and March 16, 2012. This process will culminate with the selection of the first group of lead communities in May of next year.

The Blue Zones Project is based upon findings from an eight-year worldwide longevity study to identify common elements of the world’s longest-lived cultures. Blue Zones uses third-party research and direct studies to identify the world’s best practices in longevity and well-being. Working in collaboration with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, it uses this research to develop lifestyle management tools.

In 2009, Blue Zones led a 10-month pilot project in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where residents increased their projected life expectancy by 2.9 years. In addition, employers in that city reported a decline in health care claims cost and a drop in absenteeism.