Our environment shapes us every day and that’s absolutely true!
There’s a beautiful story about the people of Roseto, Italy, shared in the book Outliers, and I wanted to share it with you all. It carries a powerful message, so please read through to the end.
In the 1890s, a few Italians from the village of Roseto visited Pennsylvania for work. They liked the city, stayed connected with their people back home, and over the next few years, around two thousand Rosetans migrated to the same area. They built their own village there and named it after their hometown – Roseto.
What was fascinating is that Rosetans were remarkably healthy. For people under the age of 55, there were virtually no cases of heart disease. Even those above 55 rarely died from heart-related issues; most passed away due to old age. In the 1960s, a medical team visited the village to investigate after hearing about this unusual trend and to their surprise, they confirmed it was true.
They examined everything – their food, the local climate, geography, even patterns of smoking and alcohol consumption — but found nothing unusual compared to other nearby European-American communities.
Eventually, they brought in a social scientist, who uncovered the key: it was the community environment that kept them healthy. Rosetans were closely knit, friendly and supportive of one another. Elders and women were deeply respected. Families lived in multigenerational homes. This deep sense of belonging, care, and connection created consistent happiness and happiness, they concluded, plays a crucial role in keeping the heart healthy.
The message is clear: we all have the power to shape our society, workplace, and communities in a way that fosters kindness, respect, and support. When we do, we not only create harmony, we also build a healthier and happier life for everyone.
