Longevity (blue) zone

Blue zone - In gerontology, it is a term that describes an area or region which is characterized by the longevity of its inhabitants. Such phenomenon may result from various reasons: advantageous environmental, economical and political conditions; namely, mild warm climate, economic wealth, stable politics, high development of health care facilities and medical care, high level of awareness among the society etc. The population of the blue zone is featured by higher life expectancy, lesser mortality rates among the oldest age group and greater share of centenarians. The examples of blue zones include, inter alia, the state of California, the East Coast of the United States, the Japanese Islands, northern Italy, and southern France.

One must be careful not to conflate the "blue zone" phenomenon with longevity myths. The underlying causes behind the "blue zone" phenomenon can change over time. For example, some researchers are concerned that Okinawa's healthy lifestyle has gradually become more Americanized since the 1970s.