January 22, 2021 3:40 a.m.

The Umpqua Valley is now a certified Blue Zones Community.

That news has been announced by Oregon Healthiest State, Cambia Health Foundation, Sharecare and Blue Zones, LLC.

Blue Zones Project Umpqua Community Engagement Director Juliete Palenshus said the designation recognizes the community’s success in influencing the health and well-being of its citizens. Palenshus said Blue Zones helps entire communities get healthier by optimizing public policy and the places and spaces where people spend the most time.

The release said local leaders, volunteers and organizations throughout the Umpqua Valley have been working to achieve Certification status since 2017. Palenshus said the area has undergone a neighborhood by neighborhood transformation, exceeding targets set to engage individuals and organizations and implementing the best practices in policy changes.

Blue Zones cites a number of outcomes to celebrate as a result of its efforts. That includes:

*An increase in downtown Roseburg businesses.

*Decreased food insecurity for both adults and children.

*Decreased childhood obesity.

*More smoke free areas.

*Increased volunteerism

Lance Colley, Steering Committee Chair for Blue Zones Project Umpqua said “We are proud of the residents of the Umpqua Valley for their commitment to make well being a way of life for all, particularly in the wake of the pandemic”.

Funders for the local effort include: CHI Mercy Health and the Mercy Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Douglas Education Service District, Adapt and the City of Roseburg.

A community event to celebrate the certification will take place Monday February 22nd. For more information go to the organization’s Facebook page or Instagram account.