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A great sense of ‘well-being’

Every year we report the results of the Gallup-Healthways “Well-Being Index” — a survey that assesses citizens’ lives in five areas:

1. Purpose: Liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals.

2. Social: Having supportive relationships and love in your life.

3. Financial: Managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security.

4. Community: Liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community.

5. Physical: Having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.

Across the nation, states reached a record high in overall well-being in 2016, according to the Gallup-Healthways results released on Feb. 1, (www.well-beingindex.com/2017-state-rankings). And, once again, Hawaii finished No. 1 in the country.

Other states that traditionally finish high in the survey — Alaska and South Dakota — finished second and third, respectively.

Hawaii has finished in the top 10 every year since Gallup and Healthways began the studies in 2008. The results for 2016 showed that Hawaii’s overall score of 65.2 is the highest for any state in the past three years. According to the survey results, Hawaii led the nation in three of the five areas surveyed — financial, community and physical well-being.

The results were based on phone interviews with 177,192 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

As we note every year when we report on the “State of American Well-Being,” the index is a reflection of how we feel about our lives. Once again this year, it is safe to say most of us agree with the local expression, “Lucky we live Hawaii.”

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.

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