When it comes to the well-being of its residents, Indiana ranks near the bottom among U.S. states, according to the annual Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index released this morning.
The index tracks five elements of individual well-being, including purpose (daily satisfaction and motivation), social (supportive relationships), financial (managing money for less stress, more security), community (liking the place where you live and its offerings and security), and physical (being healthy and energized).
The index combines those results, and the calculations put the Hoosier state third from the bottom. Indiana's composite score of 60.0 topped only Kentucky's 59.8 and West Virginia's 59.0. Indiana has ranked in the bottom 10 four times since 2008.
Alaska at 64.7 led all states in well-being, followed in the top 10 by Hawaii (64.5), South Dakota (64.3), Wyoming (63.9), Montana (63.7), Colorado (63.2), Nebraska (63.1), Utah (62.9), New Mexico (62.8) and Texas (62.8).
According to the Gallup-Healthways news release, "Improving and sustaining high well-being is vital to any population's overall health and economy." It added, "Well-being is also a predictor of business outcomes such as employee engagement, customer engagement, turnover and workplace safety, which can affect a population's ability to reach its economic potential."