Gallup has released their annual Well Being Index, ranking America's happiest and least happiest metro areas, and the results for some of us in The Hudson Valley aren't so great.

Gallup Healthways
Gallup Healthways
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The Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown metro area ranked #160 out of the 189 metro areas in the US who were surveyed, making it #29 on the most miserable cities list. Some of the factors included overall health, work environments, and access to basic necessities.

Gallup has noted three major downward trends nationwide

 

  • A decrease in the rate of Americans with health insurance. This is partially due to higher rates of unemployment, though it has continued even as the labor market has recovered. Personal doctor usage has also decreased over time, according to Gallup.
  • An increased rate of obesity. Physical health reached its lowest point in six years in 2013, and obesity rose at an "alarming" rate, according to Gallup. The company also noted national decreases in rates of healthy eating and exercise.
  • Declining perception of work environment. "Working Americans are making it clear that a weak labor market has had an adverse impact on managerial and labor relationships," the report said.

Not exactly the best publicity. Do you agree or disagree? If so, how would you suggest to improve the quality of life in this area?

Well, least we're not as bad this list released by Forbes in 2013 where Poughkeepsie ranked #18. Cities Journal also recently ranked Poughkeepsie as the #13 city in America you should move away from. 

 

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