Gallup and Healthways (HWAY) recently released the Gallup-Healthways Monthly US Well-Being Report for May 2010. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index (WBI), a measurement of American well-being, touched a record level of 67.4 for the month of May, 2010, thereby exceeding the previous high of 67.0 achieved in April 2010. The record high levels of WBI in two consecutive months suggest an ongoing recovery in American well-being despite problems such as continued high levels of unemployment.
 
The improvement in WBI, in May 2010, came about due to an upward movement in four of the six components of well-being, including record high levels achieved by the Life Evaluation Index and Healthy Behavior Index. The Emotional Health Index also equaled its previous high levels achieved in earlier months.
 
The rise in the Healthy Behavior Index, in May 2010, came about with more Americans exercising for half-and-hour three or more times a week. This index is expected to continue to remain at high levels as favorable weather during the summer months encourages outdoor activity and exercise.           
 
The Physical Health Index moved up gradually, by 0.4 points, as seasonal cold and flu were less prevalent in May 2010. In addition, there were fewer occurrences of chronic health problems such as blood pressure and cholesterol, and more respondents noted that their health problems did not prevent them from engaging in their daily activities.     
 
Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall healthcare costs.  Healthways’ solutions are designed to keep people healthy, mitigate lifestyle risk factors that can lead to disease and optimize care for those with chronic illness.
 
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