Similar to the nation and the state of Oregon, Klamath Falls has experienced its own problems with drugs. While this is the case, Healthy Klamath is dedicated to prioritizing healthy practices in the community to prevent and assist with the local substance abuse issues. This includes multiple promising practices working to inspire and reinforce healthy habits as it relates to substance abuse. The practices in place and dedication to the community has earned Klamath Falls the honor of being named the first certified Blue Zones Community® in the Pacific Northwest .

What is the Blue Zones Project?

The Blue Zones Project community well-being improvement initiative is designed to change the way people experience the world around them. The focus revolves around working toward healthier environments which naturally lead people toward making healthier choices. Blue Zones Project communities work toward a greater well-being, improved health outcomes, reduced costs, and increased civic price, all of which support healthy economic development. The sector approach leads to close partnerships across sectors, such as schools, worksites, food systems, built environment policy, tobacco policy, grocery stores, restaurants, neighborhoods, and faith-based organizations. Over 6000 residents in Klamath Falls are engaged with the work, leading to 58 Blue Zones Project Approved^TM organizations and 19 local policies passed.

Klamath Falls is the First Blue Zones Community in the Pacific Northwest

There are just over 50 Blue Zones Project communities around the world and in 2015, Klamath Falls, Oregon was selected to be the first Blue Zones Project demonstration site in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, local leaders, volunteers, and organizations throughout the community have worked to achieve certification status and in late 2020, it was announced that Klamath Falls had achieved certified Blue Zones Community® status. The certification recognizes Klamath Falls’ community well-being transformation through successful implementation of the Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare, a first-of-its-kind population health program that brings evidence-based best practices in built environment, policy, and social networks to participating cities.

How Does Blue Zones Project Affect the Klamath Falls Drug Problem?

As a result of the Blue Zones Project efforts and certified status in Klamath Falls, adopted city policies are working to directly address drug problems in the area. For example, new city ordinances are now in place for smoking cessation and tobacco prevention through smoke-free city parks, smoke-free events, and increased education around smoking cessation, leading to a 24 percent decrease in smoking rates since 2015. Starting with tobacco related issues can only help pave the way for larger drug problems in the area. The community’s collective work to move Klamath Falls toward optimal health and well-being was recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2018, when Klamath County was awarded The Culture of Health prize, honoring and elevating U.S. communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.