The public is invited to attend a community meeting at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston Campus on Thursday, March 5, to usher in the next phase of the Blue Zones Project.
UTMB will lead the multiyear, island-wide initiative beginning this month with a six- to nine-month foundation phase that emphasizes planning, data review, community engagement, and recruiting local staff rooted in Galveston.
The Blue Zones Project is a research-informed population health initiative designed to help communities improve well-being, resilience, and economic vitality by shaping environments that make healthy choices easier for residents. Based on work by Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner, the project focuses on a community’s “Life Radius®” — the places people live, work, learn, and gather that most influence health outcomes.
In communities where the Blue Zones Project has been implemented, there has been:
Significant reductions in obesity and smoking rates
Increased economic investment in local corridors
New grant funding to support policies and programs that expand access to health and wellness resources
Measurable savings in health care costs
UTMB led the Blue Zones Ignite assessment in 2025 with more than two dozen local partners to evaluate Galveston’s readiness for a communitywide approach to well-being.
UTMB President and Health System CEO Dr. Jochen Reiser said the project gives the institution a proven framework to support health and vitality across Galveston by making healthy living more accessible and sustainable.
The Blue Zones community meeting, which is open to the public, will cover:
What the Blue Zones Project is and how it works
Why Galveston was selected
How UTMB and its partners will be involved
Blue Zones Community Meeting
Date: Thursday, March 5
Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Location: William C. Levin Hall Auditorium – Galveston Campus, 1006 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550