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WV CITIZENS AT ROCK BOTTOM IN 'WELL-BEING' INDEX |
| (11/16/2010) |
| West Virginia is at rock bottom in a well-being study of states, and near the bottom in education, health and income, according to a study by the American Human Development Project. "What we found is that some groups are enjoying the highest well-being in the world, and other groups have fallen really badly behind," said Sarah Burd-Sharpes, co-director. "The Measure of America 2010-2011: Mapping Risks and Resilience" released last week, measures health, education and income by state, congressional district, gender and race to determine well-being outcomes. WV's economy has long been based on the extraction of its' natural resources, mostly owned by absentee holders, with workers held hostage to the remaining jobs and the state held hostage to the taxes generated by the extractors. West Virginia ranks 49th nationally for life expectancy. The state ranks 48th in educational outcomes and income earnings, but over-all in the study, the state ranks at the bottom at 50. Connecticut ranks first in the nation for well-being. West Virginia has the nation's highest smoking rate, about one in four, and the highest diabetes rate, about 12 in every 100 people, according to the study. Burd-Sharpes said, "Today, a baby born in West Virginia can expect to live to about 75," almost three years less than the national average. Connecticut residents live to about 80. Burd-Sharpes said that states that "invest" in these three areas are better prepared to stay afloat during hard economic times like the current situation. The states that don't, "don't bounce back afterward," she said. - About 82 percent of West Virginia residents have a high school diploma, compared to 85 percent nationally. - About 17 percent of state residents have at least a college bachelor's degree, compared to 27.7 percent nationally. - About 6.7 percent have a graduate or professional degree, compared to 10.2 percent nationally. - About 83.7 percent of school-age children are enrolled in school; compared to 87.3 percent nationally. - West Virginia's median income is $24,404, compared to $29,755 nationally. The top five states are Connecticut, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and Maryland. The bottom five states are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and West Virginia.
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