By Dr Chris Edmond
I OFTEN read about the challenges Jersey faces with an ageing population.
In June, the government released the first of its annual Common Population Policy reports, highlighting that over the previous ten years the number of people over 65 had risen by 29%, whereas those of working age (16–64) had only risen by 1%.
Our birth rate is steadily falling to among the lowest in the world, and the report suggested that due to the rising dependency ratio, we would need to increase the population to 150,000 by 2040 to continue to maintain the economy.
There is certainly no doubt that we face an ageing population. There is also no doubt that this will mean societal change in one form or the other. But couldn’t we take a more positive view of the issue? Should we really be calling 65-year-olds ‘dependent’?
On the other side of the coin, I have spoken to many recently about the recent Netflix documentary series – Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. For those unfamiliar with the programme, it follows author and explorer Dan Buettner as he travels around the five areas of the world identified as having the longest-living populations – the so-called blue zones.
Travelling from Okinawa in Japan, to Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and Loma Linda in California, Buettner explores what it takes to live to 100 and beyond, and why these particular communities far outlive their neighbours. For example, people living in Ikaria are thought to benefit from reduced middle-age mortality as a result of the Mediterranean diet – high in vegetables and healthy fats. Those living in the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica live longer due to their deep social communities and regular physical activity.
While the blue-zones concept is neatly packaged and doing wonders for popularising the concept, what Buettner is doing is highlighting long-recognised concepts in public health. We know from multiple studies that plant-based diets with a mix of greens, beans, lentils and similar are good for long-term health. The blue zones just naturally have these in abundance in their diet – and they know how to produce tasty and fulfilling meals with them.
Similarly, we know that having a network of good friends can extend your life as much as giving up smoking. We know regular physical activity, as part of your normal day-to-day life, is more powerful than pretty much any medicine. And we know that living life with purpose contributes equally to health, happiness and longevity.
What we also know, however, is that supporting people to live these healthy ways takes a whole-system approach – people living in blue zones didn’t set out to be long-lived, they just happen to live in places where these behaviours are standard and supported by the environment in which they live. They don’t live in places where fast food, car travel, high stress levels and social disconnection are the norm.
Since watching the programme, I’ve seen calls for Jersey to become a blue zone – it is certainly possible to seek certification, for a fee. However, I am not sure Jersey becoming a recognised blue zone is really necessary – we’ve got so many of the building blocks in place already if we can continue the great work locally that is already starting to activate the whole system – government, schools, workplaces, community associations and places of worship working together.
For example, did you know that excellent work is ongoing to refresh the local food and nutrition strategy, making it easier for Islanders of all ages to access healthy, sustainable, locally grown food?
And on Friday this week is Jersey’s first ‘ReGen Gathering’ event, focused on supporting food, farming and enterprise and highlighting the links between food and health.
October then sees the launch of the Delicious Jersey food festival, to join the dots between local food producers, restaurants and others to highlight the health and environmental benefits of eating our wonderful local produce.
On social connection, the government plan has set aside ongoing funding for the Community Compass project – offering small grants to community groups and working to make accessing community resources as easy as possible – building up new networks of future friends.
The government is also working on Active Travel policies and infrastructure – encouraging cycling and walking to work and school, as well as promoting the benefits of physical activity via Jersey Sport and the Move More programmes.
I have also been involved personally in establishing a new local organisation, Lifestyle Medicine Jersey – hopefully soon to be registered as a charity. We aim to support people via group education programmes and health coaching to maintain healthy behaviours and live longer, happier lives.
So back to the ageing demographic. In a time when significant numbers of people can expect to live to 100, we have to change our view on what ageing means. Blue zones show us that people can remain active, engaged, productive and healthy well beyond 65.
With the right policies in place, a healthy ageing population means wisdom, family support, an expanded workforce and greater economic productivity.
We will need the right physical environment, good housing, community facilities and infrastructure that supports active and health living. But the green shoots of collaboration are sprouting across the Island. I hope in the coming years to watch them flourish.
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Dr Edmond is the founder and medical director of WorkHealth (CI) Ltd, a dedicated Jersey-based occupational health provider. He is also a director at Jersey Sport and Jersey Recovery College, and adviser to the Jersey Community Foundation. He writes in a personal capacity.
