Economic recovery helps Americans improve health

The economic recovery and the reduction of unemployment in January 2012 raised the level of optimism and trust of Americans about current life and future plans. This helps them improve their mental and physical health, according to the Gallup-Healthways (WBI) happiness index.

The index of optimism on life reached 50.1 points, the highest since March 2011. The Gallaup Institute survey for the American people shows that the optimism rate is 53.3%, highest in the last 8 months. Meanwhile, the pessimistic rate is only 3.3%, the lowest since 01/2011.

Restoring the economy has raised the level of optimism and trust of people
American people about current life and future plans.

Healthy behavior index for lifestyle evaluation, up from 61 points in 12/2011 to 63.3 points in 01/2012. 64% of respondents said they were in good health and 55.7% of them had four times as many servings of vegetables and fruits as in the previous time. In addition, 49.1% of people exercise at least 3 days in a week. This is a positive rate in 01/2012.

American mental health index has also improved in 5 consecutive months. Participants said they were less stressed, anxious and sad than they were six months ago. In addition, 92.6% of people said they felt comfortable and treated respectfully at work for many days.

The physical health index for analyzing physical health of the entire community reached 77.1 points. Although the working environment index for assessing job satisfaction is still low at 47.6 points, 80.1% of surveyed staff said that supervisors always create a friendly working environment. and trust each other.

"Through WBI indicators, we easily see the positive impact of economic recovery and reduce unemployment in January 2012 for Americans. Therefore, we need to focus darkly. to improve the health of the whole community, which helps increase work efficiency and reduce health care costs , said Ben Leedle, president of Healthways.