According to the most recent Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Missouri is miserable. The 8th most miserable state in fact. The poll was combined with other census data to find the most miserable states to live in. Factors that were taken into account were life expectancy, physical health, work environment, income and education.
Here is the breakdown for Missouri (source: 24/7 Wall St.)
8. Missouri
> Well-being index score: 64.8
> Life expectancy: 77.4 (12th lowest)
> Obesity: 30.5% (10th highest)
> Median household income: $44,301 (14th lowest)
> Adult population with high school diploma or higher: 86.9% (22nd lowest)
Between 2010 and 2011, Missouri’s well-being score went from 17th worst in the country to eighth worst. Conditions in the state declined in every category Gallup measured. Missouri residents polled rated their emotional health as 14th worst in the country, down from 25th worst last year. The state also declined from 18th worst in life evaluation to third worst in the country. The state has the 11th-highest rate of smokers in the country at 21.1%. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes rates are all among the top 20, and life expectancy in the state is 77.4 years, the 12th lowest in the U.S.
It is also interesting to note that 7 SEC states were listed in the top 10:
#2 Kentucky
#3 Mississippi
#6 Alabama
#7 Arkansas
#8 Missouri
#9 Florida
#10 Tennessee
Apparently being good at college football doesn’t improve you quality of life.
“The University of Missouri takes advantage of veterans by refusing to pay for “cost of attendance” under the state’s “Heroes’ Act” tuition benefits, a class action claims in St. Louis County Court.”
