What this means
Exceptional longevity in Sardinia has historically been associated with the original Sardinian Blue Zone. We investigated whether Bolotana, a small mountain municipality outside that area, exhibits a distinct late-life survival profile.
A plain-English summary is on its way. Until then, this is the start of the authors' own summary.
- Who it was tested in
- Not stated
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- A new blue zone? exceptional late-life survival in Bolotana, Sardinia.
- Authors
- Pes GM, Austad SN, Buettner D et al.
- Journal
- Frontiers in aging
- Published
- Oct 20, 2026
- Study type
- Study
- PMID
- 42898913 ↗
Abstract
Background
Exceptional longevity in Sardinia has historically been associated with the original Sardinian Blue Zone. We investigated whether Bolotana, a small mountain municipality outside that area, exhibits a distinct late-life survival profile.
What they did
Using validated civil and parish records, we constructed sex-specific partial period life tables for 2021-2025. Late-life survival was defined as survival from age 70 onward and assessed through remaining life expectancy at age 70 (e70) and conditional survival from age 70 to 100 [S(70→100)]. Estimates were compared descriptively with Nuoro Province, Sardinia, and Italy, the original Sardinian Blue Zone, and published international benchmark. Statistical uncertainty was evaluated using parametric Poisson bootstrap. Sensitivity analyses included 2020-2025 and a period-matched 2015-2019 analysis.
What they found
In 2021-2025, e70 was 16.02 years in men (95% CI, 14.55-17.79) and 20.85 years in women (19.42-22.43); S(70-100) was 4.92% (1.58-12.76) and 13.83% (7.33-23.75), respectively. Female estimates (70-100) exceeded contemporary values for Nuoro Province, Sardinia, and Italy. Among international benchmarks, Bolotana women ranked second only to Hong Kong for both indicators, and S(70→100) was more than three times that of U.S. women. Inclusion of 2020 to address the potential effects of COVID-19 produced modest reductions, whereas the period-matched 2015-2019 analysis yielded a less pronounced late-life survival profile, particularly for survival to age 100. Bolotana exhibited a distinctive, predominantly female pattern of exceptional late-life survival and may be considered a candidate longevity blue zone. However, the magnitude of this advantage varied by calendar period. Longer observation and continued demographic validation, are required before Bolotana can be considered an established longevity blue zone.
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Pes GM, Austad SN, Buettner D et al. A new blue zone? exceptional late-life survival in Bolotana, Sardinia. Frontiers in aging. 2026. doi:10.3389/fragi.2026.1951042. PMID: 42898913. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42898913/