A dozen Iowa cities have applied to be part of the ambitious Blue Zones Project, the Healthways-Wellmark collaboration that aims to transform wholesale the wellness and health habits of communities. Four cities were chosen to take part in the spring, and a number of small towns will be picked later this year.

“Recent Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index findings confirm a significant opportunity in Iowa for improvement in key areas of well-being, including healthy behaviors and work environments,” said Mary Lawyer, Healthways state director of the Blue Zones Project. “We are excited by the changes we are already seeing in the initial Blue Zones Project demonstration communities, and we look forward to working with other Iowa demonstration communities to enhance their well-being in a similar manner.”