Why do some people live long healthy lives while others seem to fall ill early and often and then succumb to chronic disease?

Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones and National Geographic Fellow, traveled across the globe to find the secret behind longevity. Blue Zones are regions in the world where people report an enhanced quality of life and have a better chance of living to a ripe old age. Buettner found that while genetics still play a major role, there are a host of specific lifestyle factors that are achievable and make a difference.

Buettner discovered nine evidence-based common denominators that helped people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than people in the United States:

» Move naturally: The world’s longest-lived people don’t lift weights or do marathons. Instead, they live in environments where they’re constantly encouraged to move without thinking about it.

» Purpose: Wake up with purpose each day and add up to seven years of longevity.

» Down shift: Establish an enjoyable and convenient schedule outside of work such as yoga, hiking, ocean activities or meditation.

» 80 percent rule: Eat mindfully, chew well and stop eating when 80 percent full.

» Plant slant: Eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for local and organic, and when possible, get to the farmers markets.

» Wine at 5: One to two glasses of wine can reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

» Keep the faith: Research shows that attending a faith-based activity with others four times per month can add 4 to 14 years of life expectancy.

» Loved ones first: Invest time with ohana and add up to six years to your life.

» Like-minded company: Surrounding yourself with others who will support healthy behaviors matters.

Blue Zones Project Hawaii, recently brought to the islands by Hawaii Medical Services Association, is a communitywide initiative designed to facilitate healthy outcomes through permanent changes to the environment, public policy and social networks. Blue Zones Project works with citizens, businesses, government, schools, grocery stores and restaurants in an effort to transform the community into a healthier place to live, work and play. The initiative is based on the assumption that a better quality of life will result in higher productivity and reduced need for health care services.

The Blue Zones Project is a cornerstone of HMSA’s focus on wellness. Mike Gold, HMSA’s president and chief executive officer, believes that programs like the Blue Zones Project are the way to drive sustainable changes in behavior and health care practices that result in improved health and better control of health care costs. For example, in mainland communities that have been certified as Blue Zones, people take an active role in eating better and exercising more and become more engaged in improving their health and well-being.

At Manakai O Malama’s Patient Centered Medical Home, patients who take an active role and become engaged in preventive care and healthy lifestyle practices lose weight, improve cardiovascular health and tend to have better mental health. They are also able to minimize the frequency and severity of chronic disease.

By making our community a better place to live, work and recreate, Hawaii has the potential to lower rates of obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes and heart disease. Hawaii consistently ranks as one of the healthiest states in the nation in overall well-being, as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, but in 2013 the state dropped to eighth from its top spot in 2012. Fostering healthy communities depends on an ongoing collaborative effort among all concerned.

The traditions practiced by long-lived people in Blue Zones are also consistent with ancient Hawaiian values such as kuleana, meaning responsibility or concern, and ohana, which depicts the family unit. The intention of the Blue Zones Project is to create the conditions for each member of our community to engage in healthy living and to enjoy a long, vibrant life.

Ira “Kawika” Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com.