Well-Being Index http://www.gallup.com/ http://backend.userland.com/rss Gallup WebTeam 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. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124280/Nonsmokers-Top-Smokers-Across-Incomes.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124280/Nonsmokers-Top-Smokers-Across-Incomes.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT 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. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124334/Worldwide-Prospect-Job-Loss-Connected-Low.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124334/Worldwide-Prospect-Job-Loss-Connected-Low.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT The percentage of Americans that are “thriving” climbed above 53% in October, sending the Gallup-Healthways Life Evaluation Index to its highest level since tracking began in January 2008. At the same time, working Americans gave their most negative responses yet about their work environments. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124247/Americans-Rate-Lives-Hurting-Work.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124247/Americans-Rate-Lives-Hurting-Work.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT Flu cases in the U.S. continue to tick higher, with an average of 2.7% of adults in October reporting that they were “sick with the flu yesterday,” compared to 1.9% in September and 2.0% in October 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124118/Self-Reported-Flu-Cases-U.S.-Up-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124118/Self-Reported-Flu-Cases-U.S.-Up-Slightly-October.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT In October, an average of 2.7% American adults reported that they were "sick with the flu yesterday," up from 1.9% in September. At the same time, an average of 7.7% adults reported having a cold, up from 5.4% in September. http://www.gallup.com/video/124142/Uptick-Reported-Flu-Cold-Cases.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124142/Uptick-Reported-Flu-Cold-Cases.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from 2009 document the extent to which people who exercise more frequently have higher well-being. Exercise relates not only to lower rates of obesity, but also to higher life evaluation and emotional health scores and lower rates of reported depression. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124073/Exercise-Little-Goes-Long.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124073/Exercise-Little-Goes-Long.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT Utah and South Dakota residents are the most likely to express trust in their neighbors, in terms of saying they would expect a neighbor to return a lost wallet or purse, according to an aggregate of Gallup data from the first six months of 2009. Nevada and Mississippi residents express the least trust. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123986/Utah-South-Dakota-Best-Places-Lose-Wallet.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123986/Utah-South-Dakota-Best-Places-Lose-Wallet.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT The percentage of American adults reporting that they have been diagnosed with diabetes continues to climb, with 11.3% of Americans in the third quarter of 2009 saying so, compared to 10.4% in the first quarter of 2008. Obese adults are three times more likely than non-obese adults to say they have been diagnosed with diabetes. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123887/U.S.-Diabetes-Rate-Climbs-Above-11-Could-Hit-15-2015.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123887/U.S.-Diabetes-Rate-Climbs-Above-11-Could-Hit-15-2015.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from 2009 reveal that 17% of Americans report having been diagnosed with depression. Those making less than $24,000 annually, those who are separated or divorced, and women are the most likely to report having been diagnosed. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123821/One-Six-Americans-Report-History-Depression.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123821/One-Six-Americans-Report-History-Depression.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT Bestselling author Dan Buettner journeyed around the globe, investigating the places where people live the longest to find the secrets to living longer, healthier lives. Buettner discusses the practical implication of the lessons he learned in the first segment of Gallup’s special series, “Next Steps: Transforming Americans’ Health and Well-Being.” http://www.gallup.com/video/123716/Longer-Healthier-Life.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/123716/Longer-Healthier-Life.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans’ average daily reports of flu and cold incidence began to rise in September with the onset of the cold and flu season, but so far there is no indication of elevated illness levels compared to last year at this time -- even amid concerns about the potentially widespread impact of H1N1. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123719/Cold-Flu-Season-Begins-No-Abnormal-Uptick.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123719/Cold-Flu-Season-Begins-No-Abnormal-Uptick.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data for September find 16.6% of American adults without health insurance, tying this year’s high from May, and up from 13.9% in September 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123509/At-16.6-Number-Uninsured-Americans-Ties-High.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123509/At-16.6-Number-Uninsured-Americans-Ties-High.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index reveals significant variations in happiness by age group, with happiness highest among young Americans, lower in the middle years, and higher again among those in their 60s and early 70s. In some age groups, women are slightly happier than men. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123452/Americans-Least-Happy-50s-Late-80s.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123452/Americans-Least-Happy-50s-Late-80s.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT A new Gallup Arizona Poll survey finds that, among possible public policy improvements that could be funded by increased taxes, Arizonans are slightly more likely to support making healthcare more available and affordable than other alternatives offered. Arizona falls among the middle of U.S. states on resident access to basic needs, including health insurance. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123449/Better-Healthcare-One-Key-Improving-Basic-Access.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123449/Better-Healthcare-One-Key-Improving-Basic-Access.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:15:00 GMT Business owners have the highest overall well-being of any occupational group, according to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data collected in 2009. Those in the farming, fishing, and forestry professions do well on many dimensions of well-being. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122960/Business-Owners-Richer-Job-Types.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122960/Business-Owners-Richer-Job-Types.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT The well-being of the nation rose to 67.0 in August, tying the high recorded in February 2008. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index finds well-being to be improving across all ages, income groups, and in every region of the country. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122918/Americans-Ties-High.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122918/Americans-Ties-High.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:15:00 GMT Residents of Hawaii and North Dakota had the lowest stress levels in the nation in the first half of 2009, while Kentucky and West Virginia residents had the highest stress levels. States with residents that are less stressed tend to have happier residents, but this is not always the case. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122420/Stress-Happiness-Often-Not-Always-Related.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122420/Stress-Happiness-Often-Not-Always-Related.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:45:00 GMT Higher percentages of adults lack health insurance in Texas, New Mexico, and Mississippi than is true for any other states in the country. The percentage of uninsured adults in every state has either increased or remained stagnant thus far in 2009 compared with 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122387/Uninsured-Highest-Percentage-Texas-Lowest-Mass.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122387/Uninsured-Highest-Percentage-Texas-Lowest-Mass.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT Residents of Iowa, Minnesota, and Massachusetts in the first half of 2009 reported the greatest access in the nation to basic needs optimal for a healthy life, such as medical care, a safe place to exercise, and affordable fruits and vegetables. Mississippi and West Virginia reported the least access. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122369/Basic-Access-Iowa-Minn-Mass-Shine-Mississippi-Falters.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122369/Basic-Access-Iowa-Minn-Mass-Shine-Mississippi-Falters.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:30:00 GMT Residents of Vermont and Hawaii in the first six months of 2009 led the nation in practicing good health habits, including eating healthily, exercising, and not smoking. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122354/Healthy-Behavior-Vermont-Best-Kentucky-Worst.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122354/Healthy-Behavior-Vermont-Best-Kentucky-Worst.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:15:00 GMT Americans in Hawaii and Utah continued to lead the nation in well-being in the first half of 2009, while those in West Virginia and Kentucky continued to lag. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index results, released in partnership with AHIP, provide a midyear checkup for the nation. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122264/Well-Being-Hawaii-Utah-Top-Nation.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122264/Well-Being-Hawaii-Utah-Top-Nation.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:30:00 GMT The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index reveals that among adults who have health insurance, 29.0% currently rely on a government program, specifically Medicaid, Medicare, or military/veterans’ coverage, while 56.5% say their coverage is through their employer or union. http://www.gallup.com/poll/121970/Nearly-Insured-Government-Coverage-2008.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/121970/Nearly-Insured-Government-Coverage-2008.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:45:00 GMT While the White House continues to push Congress to pass healthcare legislation before the August recess, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index finds 16.0% of American adults in June saying they do not have health insurance, up slightly from the average of 14.8% in 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/121820/One-Six-Adults-Without-Health-Insurance.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/121820/One-Six-Adults-Without-Health-Insurance.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT Ahead of the August release of the Midyear 2009 State Well-Being Rankings, Gallup reviews the highest and lowest scoring states from the inaugural 2008 rankings. http://www.gallup.com/video/121568/Index-State-Rankings-Review.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/121568/Index-State-Rankings-Review.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index finds positive improvement in Americans’ collective well-being in June, with the nation’s Well-Being Index score reaching 66.8 -- higher than it was all of last summer and nearing the Index’s high of 67, recorded in February 2008. http://www.gallup.com/poll/121538/Americans-Continues-Edge-Upward.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/121538/Americans-Continues-Edge-Upward.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:30:00 GMT