Healthways (HWAY) and Gallup recently announced the results of the Gallup-Healthways Monthly U.S. Well-Being Report for the month of September 2010. The overall measure, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, declined slightly for the fourth consecutive month in September, dropping to 66.4, its lowest point during the current year.
The reduced composite measurement of well being, as provided by the Well-Being Index, confirms mediocre readings from other key barometric measures, such as unemployment figures, during the month. The extended impact of the recession and the negative effect of the downturn on the American workplace were clearly evident in the results of this report.
The decline of the Well-Being Index was largely due to the Life Evaluation Index hitting its lowest level in 14 months. In addition, the Healthy Behavior Index and the Physical Health Index experienced statistically significant declines. Moreover, the Work Environment Index slipped to record lows for the second month in a row.
Among the notable indices, the Physical Health Index fell to its nadir of 76.2, since May 2009. The decline in September was due to a record 24.9% of Americans complaining of physical distress. Further, Americans were more exhausted than before, with 30% reporting fatigue during the month, the highest level post December 2008.
Healthways is a prominent vendor of specialized and composite solutions, enabling recipients to maintain or improve their well being and consequently, reduce systemic healthcare costs. The company’s solutions are intended to keep people healthy and mitigate lifestyle risk factors that can cause disease and optimize care for those with chronic illness.
Gallup is known for providing timely and pertinent research on opinion. The company employs scientists in disciplines such as economics, sociology, management and psychology. Its consultants identify and monitor behavioral economic indicators on a world-wide basis, thereby enabling companies to increase organic growth.
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