The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
report was released recently. In it, the report ranks which states are the
healthiest and unhealthiest over all. Health Briefs reviewed the survey and
found good news in it, and also bad news. Read one for more info.
The index counts specific criteria in its
rankings: having a sense of purpose, supportive relationships and love in your
life, feeling economically secure, enjoying the home, pride in community, and
maintaining good health. The positive news from the survey includes an increase
in citizens feeling financially healthy. Also, there are less people without
insurance, fewer people are smoking this year than last year, more people are
getting exercise, and finally, there is a decline in the number of people who
report being food and healthcare insecure.
On the negative side: obesity seems to be
increasing in the U.S., and many people are still finding it challenging to
find and secure full-time employment. So where does this leave us, and
specifically, your home state?
Below are the top five healthiest states:
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Montana
- Colorado
- Wyoming
Wide
open space, a love for the great outdoors, sense of community and financial
well-being all played a part in how these states made the top five.
Below
are the bottom five states:
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- West Virginia
These
states usually rank at the bottom. Most are located in the East or in the
Midwest region. With so much farmland
and rolling hills nearby, the Health Briefs TV show wonders how they stay at the bottom? Click here to see the
whole list. (PDF)
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| Healthiest State: Hawaii |
