Community wellbeing index holds steady nationwide, although scores vary widely by state

The COVID-19 pandemic caused far-reaching changes in the ways Americans live, work and play. These changes continue to have a significant impact on health, finances and overall wellbeing.

“We have seen the effects of this in demands on health care providers to adopt telemedicine practices; on government organizations to provide community and financial supports; and also on workplaces, where myriad changes occurred across every level of occupational category,” according to the Sharecare Community Wellbeing Index for 2021. “Working populations witnessed firsthand efforts to advance diversity and inclusion efforts; expanded vacation and benefits offerings; enhanced transparency from leadership; the provision of new resources and flexibility in how work can be done; and so much more.”

Measured on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the greatest possible wellbeing, the nation’s average index score was 60.9, which showed year-to-year consistency from the 2020 index average of 60.5. Several nationwide trends emerged from the research: