What can one learn from the world’s happiest places like Denmark, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Iceland, the two Irelands, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and Austria?
Initially, social scientists concluded that the happiest nations are “healthy, wealthy, and wise”. A newer study then revealed that – apart from basic healthcare, lower levels of poverty and access to basic education – strong nationalism, sense of communal solidarity, and social tolerance are essentials too.
Denmark and the Netherlands are exemplary in how these characteristics are second nature to their societies. Their reputed infrastructure and efficient public transport go a long way in keeping their folks and their environments in top notch conditions.
How America ranks?
We were in 23rd place in a 2006 survey, but inched our way up to 16th place in a World Values Survey 2008. An improvement, yes, but we know we can do way better than that, right?
So what are some of our nation’s ailments that has us in 16th place? What can and needs to be done to get closer to the bull’s eye?
Let’s talk health and wealth. Although the US leads in many areas of medical science, our nation’s health is in dire straits. Studies show that between 1960 and 2000, obesity levels increased by over 200% – a period when our car culture took center stage. Bicycling and walking, on the flip side, fell 67% over the same period.
In 2008, health care spending was $2.3 trillion and at an increase rate that outpaced inflation and national income growth!
This translates into $7,681 per resident, imagine how much can be achieved if that amount was accessible for preserving our good health. Incidentally, this more than doubles the Swiss average at $3,445 per person.
To compound these gross stats, we have to cope with high unemployment, high gas prices, and increasing urban congestion that further cuts into our wealth. Simply put, the upkeep of our sedentary and motorized lifestyles really eats up way more resources than we can afford.
Meanwhile, we make ever bigger messes for our future generations to clean up, if at all possible to do so. Can and do we want to live like that?
Photo of the happy kids by davidniblack of imagebase
