Natalie Gonnella
Today Gallup released the latest results of the "State of the States" well-being analysis, revealing some interesting trends throughout the nation.
Five Western states featured in the poll's top 10 (Hawaii, Wyoming, Alaska, Colorado, and Utah) which measured factors like life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviors and basic access. In contrast, five Southern states fell among the bottom 10 (Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama).
Gallup polled respondents from January to December 2010, and at the time the data was collected four of the top five states had GOP governors, with a total of six Republican led states rounding out the top 10.
With the majority of states facing significant budget shortfalls, improvements to well-being scores could prove a challenge, however Gallup also notes that prosperity is still possible thanks in large part to the impact business and enterprise can have on improving well-being and economic growth:
Although money is tight, finding ways to increase residents' access to good jobs and to basic necessities -- including medical care in particular -- and decrease costly, chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes will be the most likely means to improve wellbeing. At a time when state and local governments are challenged with being able to provide basic services, business leaders may be able to step in and play an important role in increasing wellbeing in their communities, which is good for business, as higher wellbeing means lower healthcare costs and greater economic growth.
The full results of the survey can be viewed here.
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