Friday, May 1, 2009

Mood Map of the United States

Via the Southern Political Report, this map, based on data from a telephone survey performed by the Centers for Disease Control, shows percentages of residents who reported more than 14 days of emotional discomfort, including "stress, depression and problems with emotion" over the prior month.



Appalachia has problems. Kentucky is the saddest state, with 14.4% reporting extended periods of mental discomfort, and a depression belt stretches right through the entire Upland South region from West Virginia to Oklahoma. This corresponds to a region with some of the highest rates of neuroticism, as well as some of the lowest rates of overall well-being.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most content states are Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and - happiest of all, for utterly inexplicable reasons - Hawaii. All of those states had fewer than 8% report sustained mental distress.

What strikes me about this map is that urban and suburban counties generally seem to rate consistently toward the middle of the mood spectrum throughout different regions of the country (albeit with a few exceptions, like Los Angeles, Detroit and Tampa). But rural areas vary dramatically - the happiest counties are rural areas of the Upper Midwest, and the saddest counties are, again, rural areas of the Upland South. So what accounts for the discrepancy? Well, broadly speaking, National Geographic says this:
Previous studies have linked regional income and education levels to well-being. And in general, people with higher incomes and college degrees report fewer instances of prolonged depression or stress, said study author Matthew Zack, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC.

But that's probably not the whole story, he added.

For example, communities with low [frequent mental distress] levels may have above-average support structures for residents—subsidized health clinics, for example, or job-retraining programs.

"There may be different influences in different communities," Zack said. "Once we find out what the most important ones are, we may be able to develop programs to reduce the levels of mental distress."
So are such support structures much more prevalent in places like the rural Midwest than in Appalachia? And if so, why? And what accounts for some of the intra-regional differences, like the fact that people in the Appalachian counties of Tennessee and North Carolina seem to be happier than their counterparts in Kentucky and Virginia? And why is it that Oklahoma is not just very sad, but appears to taint neighboring regions in other states? Lots of intriguing questions here.

This study will be published in the June 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

31 comments:

Richard said...

You're probably being facetious, since if I lived in Hawaii, I'd be pretty damn happy too.

As for the upper-midwest vs. south, I would hypothesize that people who come from communal, low honor-value, low-violence, farming communities are happier while people who come from tribal, high honor-value, high-violence, herding communities are more depressed.

bruce said...

People in Minnesota won't admit they are not happy. People in the south will be pretty up front about it. I've lived in both MN and TN. Interesting, but I don't know how you can do a rational study of this.

Anonymous said...

Matching this map with a map of the most obese states in America, they are significantly similar. Since Depression is linked to diet and exercise, a free health clinic wouldn't help as much as a free gym would.

Dieran Blog said...

I've bookmarked this page for future reference, thanks..... :)

gadgets and tech tips said...

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon


business review|Finance Tips And Reference

Watch Movie Online 90210 said...

This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.


finance information|world flash game

Company the Film said...

Thanks for the article, this site really enriches me ...




Company the Film

coklat said...

Thanks to search engines because it has led me to this good website ...

Anonymous said...

Visiting this site is fun, because I can get new information to add knowledge ... thanks for the owner and the author of this site ....




Bluetooth Headphones

assembly of financial said...

Would you mind if I use some of the info here, and I'll leave a link back to you

Business Site said...

Visiting this site is fun, because I can get new information to add knowledge ... thanks for the owner and the author of this site ....

information ,technology, business,autos, entertainment

Anonymous said...

I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. I have read most of them and got a lot from them. To me, you are doing the great work. Carry on this. work at home In the end, I would like to thank you for making such a nice website.


Soccer Gear Soccer Merchandise

Bad Credit Mortgage said...

Hello, I just stopped by your blog and wanted to say hi. I noticed You have a lot of really great content here, I’ll be back soon, thanks a lot for posting!

Scholarship

nada said...

Can I make a suggestion? I think youve got something good here. But what if you added a couple links to a page that backs up what youre saying? Or maybe you could give us something to look at, something that would connect what youre saying to something tangible? Just a suggestion.

Rock Lee said...

Kisah Hot ABG Terpanas - Kumpulan SMS Ucapan Lucu Kocak Jenaka - Kumpulan Tebakan Teka-teki Kocak Gokil Lucu Kata-kata Bijak Tentang Cinta - SMS Cinta Rayuan Gombal Kata Mesra Terbaru - SMS Selamat Malam Terbaru

Rock Lee said...

Ariel - Sandra Dewi | Apakah Juga Seperti Kasus Itu? - Blogger Indonesia Dukung Internet Aman, Sehat & Manfaat - Cara Mencairkan Uang Melalui Western Union - Google Adsense Payment - Cari Pacar Online - Kumpulan Nomor Handphone Gadis Cantik - Cerita Panas ABG Turun Ranjang - Cerita Seru ABG Hot Paling Panas - Contoh Soal SNMPTN Sukses 2010 Terbaru - COPASer - Sang Pembuat Duplikat Konten - Daftar Alamat Toko Buku Baru Bekas Lengkap di Yogyakarta - Daftar Harga Lengkap Mobil Baru dan Bekas Honda - Daftar Harga Ponsel Nokia Terbaru - Daftar Lengkap Harga Bekas Mobil BMW Update - Download Video Lagu Keong Racun - Jojo dan Sinta - Foto Bugil Kelly Brook - Google Adsense Ad Serving - Blog Disabled - Google Banned - Serang Blogious - Google Mulai Mengeluarkan Blogious dari Sandbox - SERP Perlahan Naik - Google Terjemahan - Google Translate - Harga Tiket Mandala Airlines

Penis Enlargement Pills said...

I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.

VigRX Plus said...

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information

sbobet said...

Many thanks for posting this, It?s simply what
I was researching for on bing. I?d a lot relatively hear
opinions from an individual, barely than
a company web web page, that?s why I like blogs so significantly. Many thanks!

ibcbet said...

I’d come to accede with you here.
Which is not something I typically do!
I love reading a post that will make people think.
Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!

คาสิโนออนไลน์ said...

Comfortably, the news post is during truthfulness a hottest
on this subject well known subject matter. I agree with ones
conclusions and often will desperately look ahead to your updates .
Saying thanks a lot will not just be sufficient,
for ones wonderful ability in your producing.
I will immediately grab ones own feed to stay
knowledgeable from any sort of update versions.
get the Work done and much success with yourbusiness results!

3mbet said...

I am more than happy to discover your website.
I had to thank you for writing this excellent read!
I’m definitely loving every bit of it and I’ve bookmarked the site
to come back for new information you write-up on your website.

sbobet said...

Good luck obtaining people behind this one
Although you make some Very fascinating points,
youre going to need to do more than bring up a few issues
that may be different than what weve already heard.
What are attempting to say here? What do you need us to believe?
It seems like you cant truly get behind a unique thought.
Anyway, thats just my opinion.

Bot and me said...

Thanks for the post. I liked it. Keep going I follow you.
Super Bowl Commercials 2012

escort barcelona said...

It won't truly have success, I believe this way.

Cerita Sex said...

Nice information bro... That is a good post. cerita sex

javier said...

panic away review With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of exclusive content yeast infection no more I've either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being ripped off? I'd certainly appreciate it. panic away review

Anonymous said...

good
alat kelamin yang mengeluarkan nanah
alat kelamin yang bernanah
alat kemaluan bernanah
alat kemaluan yang bernanah
Kenapa Kelamin Bernanah?
Kenapa Alat Kemaluan Bernanah?
Kenapa Alat Kemaluan Bernanah?
Kenapa Alat Kelamin bisa Bernanah?
Penyebab Kelamin Bernanah
Penyebab Alat Kelamin bisa Bernanah
Penyebab Kemaluan Bernanah
Penyebab Alat Kelamin mengeluarkan nanah
Mengobati Kelamin Bernanah
Mengobati Alat Kemaluan Bernanah
Mengobati Kemaluan Bernanah
Mengobati Alat Kelamin yang Bernanah
Mengatasi Penyakit Kelamin yang Bernanah
Mengatasi Kelamin Bernanah
Penyakit Kelamin Bernanah
Mengatasi Penyakit Kelamin bisa Bernanah
penyakit kelamin yg bernanah
obat penyakit kelamin bernanah
penyakit kemaluan bernanah
pengobatan penyakit kelamin bernanah
Mengobati Kelamin Bernanah
Penyakit Kelamin Bernanah
Mengobati Kemaluan Bernanah
Mengobati Penyakit Kelamin yang bisa Bernanah
Menyembuhkan Kelamin Bernanah
Penyakit Kelamin Bernanah
Menyembuhkan Kemaluan Bernanah
Menyembuhkan Penyakit Kemaluan Bernanah
Pengobatan Kanker Ampuh
Pengobatan Kanker Alami
Pengobatan Kanker Herbal
Pengobatan Kanker yang Ampuh
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur yang Ampuh
Obat Ambeien Manjur
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur yang Mujarab
Pengobatan Ambeien Herbal Manjur
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur
Obat Ambeien Herbal di Apotik
Obat Ambeien Manjur di Apotik
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur yang di Apotik
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur
Pengobatan Ambeien Herbal Manjur Resep Dokter
Obat Ambeien Manjur Resep Dokter
Obat Ambeien Herbal Manjur dari Resep Dokter

back to nature said...

nice article
Obat Wasir Ampuh Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Paling Ampuh Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Super Ampuh Ambeclear
Obat Penyakit Wasir Ampuh Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Ampuh Merek Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Ambeien Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Ambeien Ambeclear Asli
Obat Wasir Atau Ambeien Ambeclear
Obat Wasir Ambeien Parah Ambeclear

OBAT HERBAL AMBEIEN said...

obat herbal ambeien
obat herbal ambeien
obat herbal ambeien
obat herbal ambeien
obat batuk menahun
obat batuk menahun
obat batuk menahun
obat batuk menahun

Lillian J. Turner said...

MyBlogger Club

Guest Posting Site

Best Guest Blogging Site

Guest Blogger

Guest Blogging Site