Jackson 10 High Level Summary
By the year 2050,
residents of Jackson County, Oregon
will live 10 years longer than the national average.
Why – The national life expectancy has plateaued and decreased since 2010. What is concerning, is that Jackson County has mirrored the trends of the United States, pre COVID. There is a great need to extend the quality of life for all in Jackson County – for all ages and races. Below, I list the needs and focus to achieve the goal of Jackson 10. Why an age goal? Because it unifies the community. We all can improve the quality of life and increasing life expectancy is the indicator of improvement.
Podcast – With multiple episodes lined up, we are wanting to highlight good people in this community and share their stories of how they are making a positive impact in Southern Oregon. This is the official Southern Oregon podcast. We are interviewing CEOs, professionals in their field, people who have benefited from local organizations (ie recovering addicts) and passionate citizens to create a better awareness of the good in our community. Money will go towards podcasting equipment (microphones, online tools and programs such as editing and publishing.
Magazine – In 2024, an annual printed magazine will be created. This will be a sophisticated reflection of our community. The magazine will highlight individuals, business leaders, providers, educators, city representatives, behavioral health providers and many more. These highlighted individuals will submit articles to help enhance understanding of what resources are available locally. This magazine will be a wow factor, in look and content, and will change the perception of our community. Money will go towards the editing and printing of thousands of magazines that will be distributed to local business, to be given to members of the community.
Website – A website is currently being created as a go-to-source to house progress of health goals submitted, resources, and job listings – yes, a place where people in the community can go to upload a video of themselves, their resume, in a space where potential employees could watch and read about good people locally to join their organization. The website will include drone flyover videos to highlight Southern Oregon’s beautiful landscape. The website will also be a place where people can upload their opinions, solutions, and answer survey questions. Money will go to hiring a website designer and maintainer.
Community Involvement – The platform of Jackson 10 is to give people a voice. Imagine an individual in the community who is passionate about helping children with disabilities but does not know where to start. Jackson 10 is a gathering place for people who share similar passions. Partnerships will be created, and children with disabilities will be benefited.
Awarding Local Organizations – Organizations can be awarded as a “Jackson 10” supporter. As organizations demonstrate, in action, how they are supporting health goals (i.e. the restaurant who offers an alternate menu for healthy eating, the organization who donates to local food banks, the business who hires the homeless…). We need to be rewarded for our efforts and highlight organizations who are demonstrating improving the quality of life. Money donated will be used to provide ribbons, trophies, certificates, financial donations or other means to business and individuals.
Social Media – In 2024, we will invite schools and business to upload videos of examples of how they are improving our community and providing service to others #Jackson10. People will help spread the word through Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram about the purpose of Jackson 10.
The 10 Dimensions of Health - Created specifically to Southern Oregon. This wheel is a combination of two proven wellness sources: 1) The National Geographic study “Blue Zones”. The study revealed areas in the world where people tend to live longer than most and found 9 commonalities between them. 2) The “8 Dimensions” of health that was created by Dr. Bill Hettler that completes wellness. They are intellectual, emotional, physical, social, occupational, spiritual, environmental, and financial wellness. 3) The local needs of our community. In recent studies I have conducted with residents of Southern Oregon, it was found that drugs and homelessness make up 66% of concerns. Incorporating these “local” categories into the blue zone and complete wellness dimension wheel, we have the Southern Oregon 10 Dimensions of Health. Imagine if every individual in Southern Oregon had a basic understanding and knew where to go for success in each of these dimensions.
Jackson 10 is a non-profit organization, not affiliated with any major organization in the community, is not associated with any political party and the only purpose and agenda is to support the quality of life of individuals in Southern Oregon. This is a people driven, city supported, and organization assisted initiative.
Supporting each other – In the healthcare industry, we “chase” metrics each year. We work hard to increase a few percentage points every 12 months. For example, we want to have less diabetics and more healthier patients. Let’s say that the percentage of diabetics in our community is 17%. The following year that target would be at 15%. Thus, making small steps each year to improve health.
The focus of Jackson 10 would eliminate the “chase” and our work will become proactive as opposed to reactive. Instead of treating diabetes, let’s avoid diabetes. We would be able to achieve “metrics” because many in the community will be indirectly or directly working on them. We are all accountable to increase the quality of life, as individuals making better choices, organizations missions and assistance from the city. With Jackson 10, the purpose is not to have organizations be siloed in the work but its purpose to support each other.
Submitting Goals - Do you have an idea to improve our community? Create a team and submit your goal. As you move forward, other passionate people and or organizations may support you in your cause. Team’s will align their submitted “goal” to one of the 10 dimensions of Living a Quality Life. All other organizations will seek to support each other’s goals. A simple example, childhood obesity. The hypothetical goal is that “in Jackson County, childhood obesity will be under 5% by 2030.” Look at the 10 Dimensions of Health and picture the many organizations in the community that fall under each dimension. How can individuals and organizations in line with “education” can help with childhood obesity? How can “financial” organizations help with childhood obesity? How can those who work in “mental” be creative with childhood obesity? Each dimension can support childhood obesity in some way. This goes beyond the burden of one organization to solve the problem. “Mental Health” educators can go to schools and present to students or work settings and present to parents, for example. The creativity is endless to help others.
Now, imagine reading hundreds of goals submitted by people and organizations. Organizations will have passionate volunteers assist their cause because they read the goal on the website or heard the podcast, of say, “Cars Changing Lives” – a local organization who receives donated cars to then give to someone in need. Imagine the lives that change as we prevent teen suicide, have better known resources for mental health, educate people on the basics of financial health and more.
Southern Oregon’s perception can and will be changed. Homelessness, drugs, hemp fields, crime, Greenway will be conversations of the past as we help heal our community by working together. Southern Oregon will be a place where people are proud to be from and others will want to visit.
The Call - Jackson 10 calls on all professionals around the country to come to Southern Oregon and help betting the lives of those who live here.
There is a quote that reads, “be ashamed to die until you have scored some victory for humanity.”
As we work together and focus on 2050, these problems will slowly be solved as we witness our life expectancy age become 10 years higher than the national life expectancy. Jackson 10 is looking for donations to make this dream become a reality.
By the year 2050,
residents of Jackson County, Oregon
will live 10 years longer than the national life expectancy.
Why Jackson 10? Jackson, as in Jackson County, and 10 for 10 years longer than the national life expectancy and the 10 dimensions of wellness.
What is included in each dimension? Imagine the organizations associated with each one:
Environmental; streets, sidewalks, buildings; fires; smoke
Physical; diet, exercise, medical appointments, cooking, food
Educational; public and private schools, classes for adults; learning, continuing education
Spiritual; church attendance; medication;
Social; interaction, clubs, joining groups
Financial; personal finances, budgeting, investing
Homeless; Affordable housing, homeless, shelter
Drug Prevention; opioid, alcohol, meth
Mental; emotional intelligence; stress free, plan for life
Vocational; career, training, next steps