Written by Kathryn Savage

Written by Dan Buettner

Dr. Robert Kane, U of M's Chair of Long Term Care and Aging and one of Blue Zones advisors recently addressed that very question. We both agree that there are several benefits to social connectedness:
I think the Facebook may partially satisfy 1 and 4 above and hence, is better than no contact at all but for 2 and 3, I don't think there's any real substitute for that face to face, back-slapping, human aura that comes with Happy Hour with friends and a good sit down chat.
One of the indicators or a true connectedness is if the person on the other end of the communication really cares about you when you had a terrible day and need to vent. A NIA study recently found that you'll live longer if you have two good friends who really care about you. My experience is that you're more likely to find such quality friends in your neighborhood than you would trolling on Facebook.
Written by Kathryn Savage
When did you last have your cholesterol checked? What’s your score? High blood pressure? Family history of diabetes?
For many Americans, the Norman Rockwell era of the family doctor that you see from birth till retirement is as quaint a notion as 25 cent gas. We live in a world where transitions from employer to employer mean different insurance cards and often a different network of care. One doctor per person is a far cry from the realities of modern medicine.
In this age where we swap physicians like hairstyles, (every few years at least) it’s important to know your score, your cholesterol score, the results of your last allergy test and let’s face it, your whole medical history.
Medical experts agree that digitalizing medical records, and giving people access to their charts online would revolutionize care and reduce redundancies. The problem? Doctors are slow to make the change. Small clinics would need to do a complete overhaul, invest thousands in computer technologies, and spend loads of time inputing all that information. Data entry from hell is the vibe I get after reading this recent article in the New York Times. Would digital records revolutionize care? Yes. Are doctors quick to adopt this practice? No. Fewer than one in five of the nations doctors have started using such records.
If I were you doc, I’d get on board.
It’s not that American’s lack options. From Wii fit to a gym on every corner, an array of online diet information, websites like the Mayo Clinic with a huge assortment of articles about how to stay healthy and well, and home workout dvd’s, we’ve got options when it comes to staying healthy. But that doesn’t mean we’re doing it. According to a recent report, only 12 percent of American adults are health literate. Meaning, only 12 percent of Americans understand how to manage their care. Only 12 percent can understand the information on a prescription bottle, read proper dosage, fill out medical forms and comprehend their insurance coverage. While it’s important to increase health literacy, it’s equally, if not more important, to make healthy choices and take measures to side-step illness.
Health Tips
For a range of health tips scope this website of course! Also check out the Mayo Clinic, and these ten essential health tips for living a long, happy, and healthy life!
Written by Kathryn Savage

Written by Dan Buettner

Why are the lessons from the Ikaria, Greece Blue Zone so important? Our team has discovered that over one-third of everyone in the northeastern end of Ikaria reaches age 90. They suffer 20% less cancer and half the rate of heart disease. And there’s virtually no dementia. In other words, they’re living the good years many of us are missing. Years we could possibly have by just adjusting a few simple habits, including:
But then there’s a big picture: Cancer costs our country almost $250 billion per year, heart disease another approximately $500 billion and dementia yet another $175 billion. If we could live Ikaria’s lifestyle, we could, at least in theory, cut our rates in half and save ourselves and our country nearly a half a trillion dollars.
To experience the Ikaria Quest go to http://www.bluezones.com/ikaria/
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We've gathered our best education materials for you to use during the Quest
Quest Materials
Gives you tools to use during the Quest.
Daily Discussion
Provides ideas and talking point for the day.
Blue Zones Challenge
4-week health and fitness program for students.
Legacy Project
Multi-disciplinary research project for students.