What states have residents with the highest sense of "well-being," meaning physical health, outlook on life, job satisfaction, and other factors that affect quality of life? Gallup and Healthways produce an annual report on the "Well-Being" of each of the 50 U.S. states and their respective communities, and measure the highest "well-being" of its residents.
The research is extensive. "The research and methodology," says the report, "underlying the GallupHealthways Well-Being Index and the Community, State and Congressional District Well-Being Reports are based on the World Health Organization definition of health, which is, “...not only the absence of infirmity and disease but also a state of physical, mental and social well-being.”
After #1 honeymoon State Hawaii, Colorado ranked #2 "State of Well-Being" in the entire country. No surprise there.
As far as large communities, Denver ranked #4 in the country. For top mid-sized communities, Boulder ranked #2 in the United States.
Some of the states with the worst "well-being" included Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
