Health Care

Living longer in South Florida could happen in a Blue Zone or hospital hub

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Miami Beach is aiming to become South Florida’s first Blue Zone city, drawing on lessons from Dan Buettner’s research on places where people live longer, healthier lives. The Blue Zones team has started a six-month assessment, exploring walkability, food insecurity, and local wellness resources like Muscle Beach and the Lincoln Road mall.

At the same time, the region is seeing a healthcare boom, with UHealth and Baptist Health expanding into neighborhoods such as Doral, making care more accessible for families. Still, health challenges persist, from proposed Medicaid cuts that could affect millions, to seasonal allergy spikes aggravated by South Florida’s unique climate. Together, these efforts and issues reveal a community both striving for longevity and grappling with persistent barriers to well-being.

NO. 1: MIAMI BEACH WANTS TO BE THE NEXT BLUE ZONE. HERE’S WHAT THAT MAY MEAN FOR YOUR HEALTH

There are steps to make it happen. | Published January 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Eliana Lancellotti, 37, right, performs lunges while exercising as Miami Beach Vice Mayor Tanya Bhatt and city officials hosted a tour for Blue Zones experts at South Pointe Park to assess the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. By Carl Juste

NO. 2: CAN MIAMI BEACH BE A HEALTHIER PLACE TO LIVE? HERE’S HOW A ‘BLUE ZONE’ WORKS

What are these lifestyle advocates looking for? | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Los estados enfrentan espinosos desafíos: asegurarse de no eliminar a personas que todavía califican, y conectar al resto con otras coberturas. By Dreamstime

NO. 3: IS MEDICAID AT RISK IN FLORIDA? HOW PROPOSED FEDERAL CUTS COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTHCARE

What to know about possible changes. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Hundreds submit comments opposing Ohio’s proposed Medicaid work requirements.

NO. 4: WASHINGTON’S THREATENED HEALTHCARE PLAN WOULD LEAVE SOUTH FLORIDA FAMILIES AT RISK | OPINION

The programs that provide many Miami-Dade residents with health insurance are currently under threat | Opinion | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olveen Carrasquillo

A light dusting of pollen is seen on the hood of a vehicle on April 1 in Dunedin. By Chris Urso

NO. 5: WHAT’S THE MIAMI ALLERGY FORECAST? JUST FOLLOW THE SNEEZING — AND THE WEATHER PATTERN

Take a look at what the medical experts are saying. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

An external view of the new UHealth Doral Medical Center during its grand opening event on Thursday, November 21, 2024. By Alexia Fodere

NO. 6: A GROWING MEDICAL HUB IS CHANGING HEALTHCARE IN MIAMI. WHAT’S DRIVING THE NEW PUSH? 

“Every major system is expanding. The whole area is hot now.” | Published March 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Walking is good for your physical and mental health, experts say.

NO. 7: HOW MUCH WALKING CAN BOOST YOUR BRAIN? SEE WHAT MOVEMENT TRIGGERS

“I‘ve been treated for depression for many years so when I feel a bit of a mood change coming on, I know I need to get out and get moving.” | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.