Palm Springs can be a desert paradise, and residents and visitors all enjoy the natural beauty and vibrant arts and culture scene. According to data from the Gallup Well-Being Index,¹ Palm Springs is also doing better than most communities in the country (equal to 53 out of 157 metropolitan areas) and only slightly behind the rest of the state (California ranks 14th out of 50 states in overall well-being).²

Although Palm Springs is doing better than most, there are still unique health concerns that affect the city. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease rates are higher than national averages, while physical inactivity and social isolation persist. According to Gallup, 4 out of 5 residents are overweight or obese, 3 out of 5 are struggling with their health, and 2 in 3 do not eat sufficient fruits and vegetables.

In 2023, Blue Zones national experts did an assessment of the city³ and highlighted the city’s strengths, including:

An enviable animated urban core, with unique buildings and commercial spaces (they noted that downtown Palm Springs could be a case study on how to create an inviting built environment that caters to both locals and visitors)
Extensive commitment and long-term investment from the city into the downtown area and infrastructure
Unique identity with well-preserved mid-century modern architecture
Progressive land use policies
A thriving arts scene
Community-based efforts to improve school environments

To build on the city’s unique strengths and address pressing health issues, Palm Springs has joined Blue Zones Project, a community-led initiative inspired by the world’s longest-lived and healthiest populations. This evidence-based approach aims to make healthy choices easier by improving environments where people live, work, learn and play. By optimizing the places people spend the most time, people can live longer, healthier and happier lives. Blue Zones Project communities have seen significant health improvements, such as reduced obesity and smoking rates, lower health care costs and increased healthy life expectancy.⁴

Key initiatives for Blue Zones Project include:

Moving naturally: Creating walkable, bikeable and playable communities with improved infrastructure and public spaces for movement and gathering

Social connections: Helping people create new friends, combat social isolation and build community through policies, events and programs

Eating wisely: Making it easy to eat healthy at work, in school, at home and
at restaurants

Purpose: Helping people discover their passions and sense of direction

Blue Zones Project in Palm Springs is driven by a collaborative effort between leading Riverside County health care organizations, the county and the city. This grassroots approach ensures that solutions are tailored to the community’s unique needs and priorities. A full-time local team is currently being hired in Palm Springs.

Multiple Blue Zones initiatives are launching simultaneously in Riverside County — a strategy devised to create maximum impact for the entire region. New Blue Zones Projects have also begun in the cities of Riverside, Banning and Coachella, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate.

Editorial by Mark Ishikawa, vice president of Blue Zones Community Transformations and Blues Zones Project Coordinator Jade Freed. Reach out to [email protected] with inquiries. To stay updated on local happenings, learn more and subscribe at www.bluezones.com.

References: 1) https://news.gallup.com/topic/well-being-index.aspx ; 2) https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2023/jun/2023-scorecard-state-health-system-performance; 3) https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2023/02/21/palm-springs-joins-blue-zones-initiative-to-make-city-healthier/69929368007/; 4) https://info.bluezonesproject.com/results