In the island of Ikaria, the mediterranean diet and active lifestyle are a big factor for old age and health, but places with very high longevity (Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, 7th Day Adventists in California) have another secret: a strong and healthy social structure.
If you pay careful attention to the way Ikarians have lived their lives, it appears that a dozen subtly powerful, mutually enhancing and pervasive factors are at work. It’s easy to get enough rest if no one else wakes up early and the village goes dead during afternoon naptime.This phenomenon has a name: The Roseto Effect describes the uncommon health and longevity of citizens from Roseto, Pennsylvania (USA) in the 50s and how these differences disappeared as Roseto became more "Americanized" in the 1960s. The studies point that erosion of traditionally cohesive family and community relationships increased the mortality rate.
Seems that we should cultivate strong community ties, together with a healthy life style, to become healthy centenarians, and a healthy society make it easier for its members to have better health and longevity.
Hat tip for BoingBoing for bringing it up!
