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Gallup recently released its annual “State of the States” poll that measures, among other factors, well-being in each state. Their definition of well-being is also very wide. The index comprises questions measuring:

• Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals
• Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life
• Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
• Community: liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community
• Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily

While many of those categories, while interesting, fall outside of areas that workplace wellness programs can address, Gallup also provides access to some of the data, some of which can be sorted to provide a better sense of how states compare on important health areas. For example:

% Exercise frequently: The percentage of state residents who report exercising for at least 30 minutes three or more days per week.

The National Average is 53.4%. The top five states are: 1) Vermont, 64.4%; 2) Alaska, 63.1%; 3) Colorado, 62.0%; 4) Hawaii, 61.9%; 5) New Mexico, 60.8%. The bottom five states are: 1) Kentucky, 47.5%; 2) Delaware, 49.2%; 3) Indiana, 49.6%; 4) Ohio, 49.7%; 5) Rhode Island, 49.7%.

% Eat produce frequently: The percentage of state residents who report eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables four or more days per week.

The National Average is 57.3%. The top five states are: 1) Hawaii, 64.6%; 2) Vermont, 63.7%; 3) New Hampshire, 63.1%; 4) Maine, 62.1%; 5) Alaska, 61.7%. The bottom five states are: 1) North Dakota, 52.1%; 2) Wyoming, 52.2%; 3) Nebraska, 52.4%; 4) Iowa, 52.5%; 5) Kansas, 53.0%.

% Feel active and productive: The percentage of state residents who report having felt active and productive every day in the last seven days.

The National Average is %. The top five states are: 1) Vermont, 76.7%; 2) Alaska, 75.5%; 3) Hawaii, 71.8%; 4) Nebraska, 71.2%; 5) Colorado, 71.2%. The bottom five states are: 1) West Virginia, 61.2%; 2) Oklahoma, 64.0%; 3) Idaho, 64.7%; 4) Rhode Island, 64.8%; 5) Kentucky, 65.0%.