Ohio and Michigan may need some help in the smile department after the release of new survey results that suggest the states are among the least happiest in America.
The 2010 telephone survey was conducted by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31. Results showed the South may need some smile help, with 10 southern states falling into the lower range of the list. Many western states, however, shined in well-being, with five of the top 10 located in that region of the country.
Hawaii takes top honors in well-being among U.S. states — but the sunshine doesn't necessarily elbow out Northern Lights and snow, as Alaska also made the top 10 happiest states list.
The survey — which included a random sample of 352,840 adults ages 18 and older living in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia — looked at six categories of well-being. These categories included life evaluation (self-evaluation about your present life situation and anticipated one in five years); emotional health; work environment (such as job satisfaction); physical health; healthy behavior; and basic access (access to health care, a doctor, a safe place to exercise and walk, as well as community satisfaction).
The top 10 states and their average well-being scores (out of a possible 100 points):
1. Hawaii: 71.0
2. Wyoming: 69.2
3. North Dakota: 68.4
4. Alaska: 68.3
5. Colorado: 68.0
6. Minnesota: 68.0
7. South Dakota: 68.0
8. Utah: 67.9
9. Connecticut: 67.9
10. Nebraska: 67.8
11. Massachusetts: 67.8
The bottom 10 states (out of a possible 100 points):
1. West Virginia: 61.7
2. Kentucky: 61.9
3. Mississippi: 63.0
4. Arkansas: 63.7
5. Alabama: 63.7
6. Ohio: 63.8
7. Delaware: 64.2
8. Nevada: 64.2
9. Louisiana: 64.3
10. Michigan: 64.6
(Full list of happiest states)
In February, Forbes Magazine ranked several Ohio and Michigan cities - including Toledo, Detroit and Flint - among the most miserable cities in the United States. Toledo was also among the top cities wallowing in misery on Forbes' 2009 list.
Three Ohio cities were listed among the top 25 most dangerous cities in a study released last November. Cleveland came in at 7, while Dayton ranked 20th and Cincinnati 24th. Toledo came in at 27th with a 157.14 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
With many states encountering fiscal problems that have led to layoffs and salary cuts of public employees along with public-school closings, Gallup experts say it'll be an upward climb to improve states' well-being scores. [5 Things That Will Make You Happier]
They say states must find a way to increase residents' access to good jobs and basic necessities — including medical care — while decreasing costly, chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. These steps, Gallup says, will be the most likely ways to improve well-being.
Read more at LiveScience.
Are you unhappy? Do you believe Ohio and Michigan are really among the unhappiest states in America? Would say Michigan is the most unhappy of them all? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.