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New nonprofit aims to make Northwest Wisconsin residents healthier
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Chippewa Valley–based TrueWellness partners with Blue Zones to assess five local communities, build plans for better health
Northwest Wisconsin is taking a major step toward improving long‑term community health. TrueWellness, a new community‑based nonprofit, headquartered in the Chippewa Valley, is launching a regional initiative to transform the environments where residents live, work, learn and play. The goal is simple, to make it easier for everyone to choose healthier habits every day.
TrueWellness, established in April 2025, was created to address the root causes of chronic disease across Northwest Wisconsin. Through partnerships with local leaders, public health experts, and evidence‑based initiatives, the nonprofit is laying the groundwork for a healthier future for all ages.
To help residents learn more, the two organizations will host five upcoming Keynote events across the region in April. These are free, open to the public, and well worth attending:
Residents are asked to register soon, as space is limited.
To amplify this mission, TrueWellness has partnered with Blue Zones, an internationally recognized organization known for helping communities increase longevity, reduce chronic disease, and improve well‑being. Together, these two organizations will assess five local communities: Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Rice Lake and River Falls. These assessments will work to understand strengths, challenges, and opportunities unique to each area.
That work starts now.
“At TrueWellness, our mission is to build health and wellness into the flow of community life. Blue Zones gives us a proven approach to do exactly that. We’ll dig into what makes our region unique, understand what's working and what’s not, and co-create solutions with our communities. Real change happens when we design strategies together that actually fit people’s lives.”
— Natasha Ward, Executive Director, TrueWellness
However, the work will not stay within these community boundaries. TrueWellness will support community health and wellness across the region.
What Residents Can Expect From TrueWellness
Personal Health Insights & Chronic Disease Database Development: Community health screenings may be offered to help establish meaningful insights for personal wellness for each resident and a clearer picture of chronic disease trends across the region.
Keynote Speakers & Educational Events: Public learning sessions will introduce research‑based strategies for improving health and well‑being, featuring local experts and Blue Zones insights.
Supportive Tools for Healthy Living: A TrueWellness website that will include resources, program updates, community involvement opportunities, and tools to support healthier lifestyle habits.
Community-Driven Solutions
Residents will have opportunities to share their experiences and help shape programs, ensuring that wellness efforts reflect local needs and priorities.
What’s next?
Assessments across all five communities will begin immediately, with regular updates shared as the process unfolds. The Blue Zones team will speak with residents, visit workplaces, schools, parks, and downtown areas, and review the everyday environments that influence health. Together with TrueWellness and local leaders, they will build a custom plan shaped around the real needs of Northwest Wisconsin.
The public is invited to attend one of the free keynote events in their community and hear directly from the Blue Zones team.
“Improvement at the community level leads to healthier and happier residents, more productive workforces, and a more vibrant economy.”
— Ben Leedle, CEO, Blue Zones
This is just the beginning. Learn more at truewellness.org.
About TrueWellness
TrueWellness is a community-based nonprofit transforming health and
wellbeing across Northwest Wisconsin by tackling the root causes of
chronic disease and building health and wellness into the flow of
community life. We partner with local leaders, academic and public health
institutions, and evidence-based initiatives like Blue Zones® to make the
healthy choice the easy choice — where people live, work, learn, and play.
Learn more at truewellness.org.
About Blue Zones®
Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better,
longer. Founded by National Geographic Fellow and bestselling author
Dan Buettner, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy
choices easier through lasting changes to the environments where people
spend their lives. Participating communities have seen double-digit drops
in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions in healthcare costs.
Learn more at bluezones.com.
