Hawai’i Tops Charts for ‘Well-Being’

Kahalu’u Beach Park. File photo by Jamilia Epping.

High marks for well-being seem to lay outside of the lower 48 states, as Hawai’i and Alaska recently topped the charts for well-being in the nation.

For the fifth consecutive year, Hawai’i was ranked the highest in nation for overall well-being by Healthways, Inc. and analytics and advice firm Gallup, using data from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Alaska followed in second place after taking the top spot from Hawai’i last year.

In the eight years of the survey, Hawai’i is one of two states that has consistently ranked in the top 10, and for every year except 2013, Hawai’i ranked in either the first or second spot.

Gallup Healthways image.

Over 177,000 interviews with individuals across the country were used in the 2015 analysis. The survey goes beyond physical components to capture how Americans feel and experience the context of their daily lives, taking a peak into Americans’ perceptions on topics that span their sense of purpose, social relationships, financial security, and community relationships.

The five elements are considered to be interrelated and influence quality of life, healthcare costs, and workplace productivity.

“Americans struggle notoriously when it comes to balancing day-to-day life with behaviors that can keep us well. The time is right for policymakers, employers, and the community to work together to improve well-being across our nation,” said Donald J. Tramuto, Chief Executive Officer of Healthways.

Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona, and California rounded out the top 10 states for 2015.

Kentucky and West Virginia continued to rank with the lowest well-being in the country, slotted 49^th and 50^th, respectively.

Along with having the highest overall score, Hawai’i ranked number one in physical well-being and ranks in the top 10 for every element except for social well-being.