The US: A "Well-Being" Map
 

Gallup did a report comparing the well-being of individual states in the US.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...today/?hpid=z4

"Gallup’s well-being index relies on 55 metrics, including rates of obesity, produce consumption, smoking, depression and psychological fulfillment. Generally, the best-off states are in the Midwest and West while the worst are in the south. And there was quite a bit of a shakeup last year. Nineteenth-ranked North Dakota rose to the top spot, while 12th-ranked South Dakota took the second spot. After four years on top, Hawaii fell to the eighth spot. "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...4__7_04_AM.png

More - http://www.gallup.com/poll/167435/no...till-last.aspx

Any comments on this? 160 views and not a single comment. Personally I noted Maryland's prosperity, the only mid-Atlantic state surrounded by worse-off states. Even a state like NJ was worse off, for some reason, although I expected it to be more prosperous, with its density and good public transport.

I also expected FL to be one of the worst states in the country in terms of well-being. Its yellow color surprised me.

That was just one of 25 maps in the Post article. Other maps were more interesting.

The lowest quintile is basically all the Human Development Index laggards, plus Ohio and Missouri.

I think maps like this are kinda stupid...my well being is not based on what other people do - but on the choices I make. Things like happiness and well being can't be measured by statistics, so I take this map (and others like it) with a grain of salt. My state ranks pretty well, but the validity of it is very shaky at best.

Why would you think Florida would be one of the worst states in terms of well being?