Palm Springs Debuts Blue Zones Project To Boost Community Health

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs residents will soon benefit from the newly launched Blue Zones Project, which aims to improve community well-being, health, happiness and connectivity.

The city joined forces with Riverside University Health System-Public Health and Riverside County to bring the initiative to Palm Springs, officials said Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Five other Inland Empire cities—Banning, Corona, Coachella, Mead Valley and Riverside—are also becoming Blue Zones.

“This is a major step towards improving the health and well-being of our historic City,” Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein said in a statement. “Blue Zones Project aligns with our existing efforts to improve quality of life by investing in safer parks and recreational spaces, improved infrastructure, and more resources for the unhoused. We are extremely pleased to join Blue Zones in this unified effort.”

The initiative employs its own research to "transform the environments in which people live, work, learn, and play, leading to measurably improved community well-being, economic vitality, and resilience," according to a news release.

Blue Zones uses what they call the "Life Radius" to meet residents where they're at. Project leaders hope to empower residents to make healthier choices in this radius by shaping public policies, fostering social connections, and enhancing the environments where people spend most of their time—such as grocery stores, churches, homes and parks.

Geoff Kors, former Palm Springs mayor and city councilmember, will serve as executive director of the city's initiative, where he will oversee the rollout of the project.

“This significant investment in creating community-wide change will have a long-term impact on the residents of Palm Springs,” Kors said. “By bringing resources and a proven program to create change, this collaboration is truly a gift to our communities.”

While no information was provided on when the initiative will be officially activated, the launch marks the beginning of a yearslong effort, the city said.

For more information about the Blue Zones Project, go here.