For 16 years, Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM) has provided high-quality primary care at no cost to uninsured adults. As the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, I am often asked why our community needs a free primary care clinic. By focusing on prevention and ongoing care, our Palm Springs and Indio clinics help… Read more »
In March, health care leaders, civic officials and business professionals gathered for the inaugural State of Healthcare Expo & Luncheon, presented by the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together key figures shaping health care across the Coachella Valley, providing an inside look at the priorities, challenges and innovations influencing the region’s medical… Read more »
Primary care in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rising costs, physician burnout and changing patient expectations. Traditionally, primary care has operated under a fee-for-service (FFS) model, where providers are reimbursed through insurance for each visit or procedure. While this system has long been the backbone of health care delivery, it… Read more »
The environments we move through each day—where we live, work, eat and connect—play a powerful role in shaping our health. At Blue Zones Project (BZP), this idea is captured through the Life Radius model, which recognizes that well-being is influenced by the spaces within our daily reach. Lasting change happens when those spaces are intentionally… Read more »
Each spring, we review the annual wellness trends forecasted by the Global Wellness Summit (GWS). Over the years, we’ve been introduced to fascinating concepts and technology, while also witnessing a return to the simpler things in life. This year is no exception but leans toward the latter as an emerging theme in The Future of… Read more »
When I talk about well-being in Palm Springs, I’m not talking about a program. I’m talking about people. Always people. Yes, at Blue Zones Project Palm Springs we discuss policy, environment, data, metrics—all the things that make spreadsheets happy. Those matter. But after my first six months in this role (and years before that working… Read more »
January 24 marked an exciting milestone as the City of Coachella celebrated their Blue Zones Project official launch. After months of anticipation, the day arrived with momentum, excitement and a deep sense of pride from locals of all ages. Under clear blue skies at the city’s Veterans Park, more than 700 community members came together… Read more »
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, a time to raise awareness, celebrate neurodiversity, and promote understanding and acceptance. One area gaining increasing attention is the role of nutrition in autism. While diet is not a cure, a healthy, well-balanced approach to food can be a valuable tool in promoting overall health, supporting development and improving… Read more »
There are many reasons people are drawn to Palm Springs. Ted Gibson and Jason Backe seem to encompass them all. The creative and colorful souls were called to trade the spotlight for inner light and the fast track for a path to wellness that led them here. As life and business partners for over… Read more »
Daily discussions about artificial intelligence seem to paint an image of both friend and foe. Given its tremendous power to reshape our world, it is important to understand this tool and its place within an overarching strategy for health and wellness. Artificial intelligence (AI), and the large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, Chat GPT… Read more »
Nestled in the heart of Palm Springs, Mizell Center has become a cornerstone of healthy aging, connection and nutritional empowerment for older adults in the wider community. For more than five decades, Mizell has cultivated a mission, not just of sustenance, but of belonging, vitality and well-being. At its core, Mizell understands that sound nutrition… Read more »
In 2023, Michelle Steadman approached me with a compelling business idea: floating sound baths. I knew the concept was in line with that year’s global wellness trends—immersive experiences, sound baths, wellness travel—but we never could have imagined how well received it would be. Launching the business was fun and seamless (a good sign you are… Read more »
(A) Provided by Trina Turk for Fashion Week El Paseo (B) Kellee McQueen (DJ Modgirl) by Olga Trehub (C) Desert International Horse Park/Megan Giese Media (D) Bella da Ball by David A. Lee (E) Young Eldorado Polo Players by Kerri Kerley Photography
We are avid enthusiasts of our valley’s mineral hot springs for the many health benefits they deliver. Our very first edition of Desert Health in 2011 featured the second annual Miracle Hill Spa Tour, and in 2023, we published a special insert, “Hidden Gems of Desert Hot Springs.” Miracle Hill is where you’ll find the… Read more »
As the BZP continues to take root in Coachella, we see more examples each month of how collaboration, education and culture come together to support community wellbeing. This season, our work has focused on school health, agricultural connections and promoting safer choices for families. At Cesar Chavez Elementary School, students are discovering the joy of… Read more »
Environmental toxins enter our bodies every day, often without our awareness. Sources include polluted air, contaminated water, foods exposed to pesticides, chemical-laden products and industrial waste, to name a few. Over time, these toxins can stress the immune system, disrupt hormones, inflame tissues and hinder the body’s natural ability to repair itself. Low-level, chronic exposure… Read more »
As I witness my patients in the last decades of life, I observe that weakening immunity is a major factor for health decline in advanced age seniors. How do we maintain a healthy immune system? In addition to a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and a diverse gut microbiome, exposure to viruses and vaccines is… Read more »
Creating a healthier community takes teamwork and collaboration. What better place to start than bringing restaurants and local farmers together for tasty, fun and educational experiences. That is precisely what Kathrine Gonzalez of Chula Artisan Eatery and Mark and Nicole Tadros of Aziz Farms are doing. In November, they introduced a Fall Farm Dinner held… Read more »
When I heard that the first local Blue Zones-approved restaurant was a bakery, I was appalled. We know that baked goods, bread and sugar are primary causes of today’s chronic disease epidemic, so it didn’t make sense. Then, I met Bread and Flours. The beloved Palm Springs café is all about healthier ingredients and a… Read more »
On February 28, women from across the country will gather at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage for a day designed to shift how we lead, live and care for ourselves. The Society of the FEW presents The Confidence Summit: Women + Wealth + Wellness, an immersive experience blending financial insight, well-being and personal growth into one… Read more »
