Overall well-being in the U.S. reached a record high in 2016, according to the latest annual Gallup-Healthways State Well-Being Rankings released Wednesday. Iowa’s ranking among the states is now 19th for well-being, compared with 14th in the prior year’s report, reports the Des Moines Business Record.
Nationwide, 2016 ushered in historically low smoking rates and high rates of exercise, as well as the highest scores recorded to date for several health care-access metrics, including health insurance coverage.
At the same time, chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and depression are now at their highest points since 2008.
The report measures how each state leads and lags across five elements of well-being.
The five elements and how Iowa ranked among the states in each measure:
Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals (No. 22).
Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life (No. 42).
Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security (No. 5).
Community: liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community (No. 12).
Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily (No. 35).
