I’m lucky enough to live in a neighborhood that doesn’t feel all that different from the neighborhoods I grew up in as a kid.
Where the kids disappear for hours outside and slowly make their way from house to house for a new game or just a change of scenery (and probably in search of snacks). The adults linger outside a little longer to share a drink or a snack or just catch up on life.
There are frequent block parties and potlucks and small kindnesses occur often. Waking up to find your driveway has already been shoveled, a small jar containing the first daffodils of Spring, or extra muffins and jam because “we can’t possibly eat them all.” Which I recognize is exceedingly rare these days, but I don’t think it should be.
In France pausing for a drink and a savory bite during the transition from day to evening is almost sacred.
In Italy, people often take an evening stroll, known as “la passeggiata,” after dinner. Not for exercise, but just to enjoy the fresh air, connect with family, and socialize with neighbors. No rush and no destination.
And a few weeks ago I learned about The Rosetta Effect. Named after a study involving a town of the same name, and I’ve been fascinated by it ever since. I’ve read a lot of research on loneliness, Blue Zones and even the impact your zip code can have on your lifespan. But this study was a little different.
Here’s the gist:
Back in the 1960s, a group of researchers found that people living in the community of Roseto in Pennsylvania, were half as likely to die from a heart attack as people living in the neighboring town of Bangor, just over a mile away.
Yes half, like 50%
Which prompted the researchers to analyze the data from other neighboring towns and again, Roseta’s rate of deadly heart attacks was “unusually low.”
These communities all shared similar socioeconomic status and occupations, even their water supply, health care providers, and hospitals were the same. So it would make sense that health outcomes would also be the same, but they weren’t. Not even close.
And the people living in Roseto weren’t exactly the picture of health. They smoked and drank heavily, were considered obese and the researchers noted that they consumed “substantially more calories and fat than the average American.”
So What is the Roseto Effect?
The community of Roseto, Pennsylvania was settled by immigrants from . . . Roseto, Valfortore in the Apulia Region of southeastern Italy.
At the time of the study, Roseto’s population included over 95% of individuals of Italian descent. And in turn the community as a whole held strong to their traditional customs, which included multi-generational living, frequent social interactions, and marriage within the community. In other words, they were extremely connected to those around them.
The neighboring town of Bangor however was comprised of a mix of people from all over Europe including; Wales, England, Italy and Germany. As such there wasn’t one dominant set of cultural customs to connect the members of the community resulting in less cohesive social networks and more feelings of isolation.
The people of Roseto felt a sense of togetherness which created a protective environment that reduced stress and supported their emotional well-being.
“There is something about relationships, social connectedness, community life, that is central to what it is to be human, what it is to flourish.
- Tyler Vanderweele
It seems crazy that something as simple as feeling connected to your community could have such a profound impact on your health and yet similar findings have been observed in Blue Zones across the globe where residents are often part of a tight knit community with meaningful relationships and frequent social interaction which is thought to significantly contribute to their longevity.
So researchers then and still now attribute these strong social bonds as the cause of the “Roseto Effect.”
And if that’s not a reason to whip up a batch of hummus or muhammara (probably both) chop up some veggies and invite some friends over for “dips for dinner,” IYKYK . . . I don’t know what is.
xx
Ashley