THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

Economic Angst:

31% see economy as top problem, up after decline

Christmas Caution:

$638 spending projection nears Nov. 2008 low

U.S. Health System Now:

38% rate coverage positively, up from 26%

Health Reform Concerns:

24% cite cost; 18% gov't involvement

Well-Being Gap:

Smokers trail nonsmokers in every income group

Politics News

Obama Job Approval Down to 49%

November 20, 2009
Obama Job Approval Down to 49%
Gallup Daily tracking from Nov. 17-19 shows President Barack Obama’s job approval slipping to 49% for the first time in his presidency. Among post-World War II presidents, only Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan dropped below the symbolic majority approval level faster than Obama did.
More Politics News...

World News

Afghans Assess Roles for NATO, U.N., Regional Actors

November 20, 2009
Afghans Assess Roles for NATO, U.N., Regional Actors
Afghans surveyed in June see NATO, the United Nations, India, and Iran playing roles in reconstruction more than anything else -- in line with what Afghans say they should do. However, Afghans are as likely to see Pakistan’s role as supporting the Taliban as helping with reconstruction.

Worldwide, Prospect of Job Loss Connected to Low Well-Being

November 17, 2009
In every world region, people who say their employer is letting workers go are less likely to be "thriving" and report less favorable moods than those who say their employer is hiring. The effects are most dramatic in the Americas.
More World News...

Well-Being News

In U.S., More Would Like to Lose Weight Than Are Trying To

November 20, 2009
In U.S., More Would Like to Lose Weight Than Are Trying To
Many more Americans are heavier than their ideal weight (62%) or say they would like to lose weight (55%) than are seriously trying to lose weight at this time (27%).

Nonsmokers Top Smokers in Well-Being Across All Incomes

November 18, 2009
Smoking is strongly related to well-being regardless of income, according to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from 2008 and 2009. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers are less likely than non-smokers to be “thriving," report fewer positive emotions, and are more likely to report depression.
More Well-Being News...

Gallup Daily Averages

Business News

Lack of Money/Wages Top Family Financial Problem in U.S.

November 19, 2009
Reflecting an often-overlooked aspect of today’s job crisis, one in six Americans now mention lack of money or low wages as the most important financial problem facing their families today -- tying a five-year high for the question and more than name healthcare, unemployment, or any other financial issue.
More Business News...

Gallup Management Journal

Is Loyalty Dead?

November 19, 2009
Marketers can no longer take it for granted. And whether or not customer loyalty is actually a relic of the past, it shows all the signs of becoming an endangered species. A Gallup branding expert offers a deep dive into what the concept of loyalty really is.

Driving Engagement by Focusing on Strengths

November 12, 2009
Too many managers focus on fixing people’s weaknesses -- or worse, they simply ignore employees altogether. This doesn’t boost performance. But Gallup has found that if your manager focuses on your strengths, your chances of being actively disengaged at work are only 1 in 100.
More GMJ Articles...

Well-Being Spotlight

Engaging Students to Improve Community Well-Being

November 17, 2009
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Copyright © 2009 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
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