DES MOINES — Iowa’s efforts to become No. 1 in well-being will include focus on five key priorities in the coming year, according to Ric Jurgens, board chairperson for the Healthiest State Initiative.

Iowa currently ranks 16th in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the official measurement tool of the Healthiest State Initiative. The WBI is a comprehensive daily measurement of the nation’s physical, emotional and social health. Brought to Iowa by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield as part of the Blue Zones Project and the Healthiest State Initiative, the WBI is the largest and most complete measurement tool for well-being in existence today. It includes more than 50 questions related to physical, emotional and mental health. 

“Iowans do well on some aspects of well-being and not as well on others,” Jurgens said.“Working with a team of experts, we have identified five priority areas most likely to improve Iowa’s ranking.”