DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools celebrated a significant milestone on Monday after it became the first school district to be officially approved for the Blue Zones initiative.
The Blue Zones Project identifies areas that work to support and improve the well-being of all people in the community. The goal of the project is to increase life expectancies in Jacksonville’s poorest zip codes. Starting with those healthy lifestyle choices during childhood can help achieve that goal.
The initiative by DCPS is focused on these ZIP codes:
- 32206
- 32208
- 32209
- 32210
- 32244
DCPS Superintendent Dr. Bernier spoke during Monday’s celebration.
“I think it’s really important we start with young children and work our way through adulthood,” Bernier said.
But the initiative goes beyond just the students. The entire staff is focused on living a healthier life.
“At the collaboration of all of our partners, we said, ‘Well we know we have these issues in our community, lets tackle this together,‘” Nicole Hamm, executive director of Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, said.
Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner identified places around the world where people reached 100 years old at 10 times the rate of the United States.
This goal is so much bigger than a healthy lifestyle. It can transform the entire community.
“So, if we can have a really good smart young man and young lady, living a healthy life, driving down the cost of healthcare and other things we create a better Jacksonville and that’s whats really exciting about this project,” Bernier said.
There will be an open house on April 24 at the Main Library in Downtown Jacksonville.
