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An Index of Human Well-Being for the U.S.: A TRIO Approach

Author

Listed:
  • J. Kevin Summers

    (EPA, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA)

  • Lisa M. Smith

    (These authors contributed equally to this work.
    EPA, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Linda C. Harwell

    (These authors contributed equally to this work.
    EPA, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jason L. Case

    (Student Services Contractor for U.S. EPA, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
    EPA, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA)

  • Christina M. Wade

    (Student Services Contractor for U.S. EPA, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
    EPA, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA)

  • Kendra R. Straub

    (Student Services Contractor for U.S. EPA, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
    EPA, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA)

  • Heather M. Smith

    (Student Services Contractor for U.S. EPA, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
    EPA, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA)

Abstract

In 2011, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development program, Sustainable and Healthy Communities, coined the term TRIO (Total Resources Impact Outcome) to represent approaches that fully incorporate all three pillars of community sustainability—environmental, economic and social. This holistic approach to sustainability is embodied in the Human Well-Being Index (HWBI) comprised of sub-indices representing environmental well-being, economic well-being and societal well-being (which includes basic human needs and subjective well-being). The development of the HWBI is described in this manuscript along with its application at national, state and county spatial scales. In addition, application at even smaller spatial scales (communities, neighborhoods, demographic and economic sub-groups, and even individuals) is discussed. The potential utility of HWBI for comparing the intended and unintended consequences of alternative decisions is described.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Kevin Summers & Lisa M. Smith & Linda C. Harwell & Jason L. Case & Christina M. Wade & Kendra R. Straub & Heather M. Smith, 2014. "An Index of Human Well-Being for the U.S.: A TRIO Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:6:p:3915-3935:d:37197
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miringoff, Marc L. & Miringoff, Marque-Luisa, 1999. "The Social Health of the Nation: How America is Really Doing," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195133493.
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    3. Vemuri, Amanda W. & Costanza, Robert, 2006. "The role of human, social, built, and natural capital in explaining life satisfaction at the country level: Toward a National Well-Being Index (NWI)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(1), pages 119-133, June.
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    5. Miringoff, Marc L. & Miringoff, Marque-Luisa, 1999. "The Social Health of the Nation: How America is Really Doing," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195133486.
    6. Distaso, Alba, 2007. "Well-being and/or quality of life in EU countries through a multidimensional index of sustainability," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 163-180, October.
    7. Kenneth Land & Vicki Lamb & Sarah Mustillo, 2001. "Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States, 1975–1998: Some Findings from a New Index," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 241-318, December.
    8. Ying Chan & Cheuk Kwan & Tan Shek, 2005. "Quality of Life in Hong Kong: the Cuhk Hong Kong Quality of Life Index," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 71(1), pages 259-289, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kyle D. Buck & J. Kevin Summers & Lisa M. Smith & Linda C. Harwell, 2018. "Application of the Human Well-Being Index to Sensitive Population Divisions: a Children’s Well-Being Index Development," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(4), pages 1249-1280, August.
    2. Lisa Smith & Christina Wade & Jason Case & Linda Harwell & Kendra Straub & James Summers, 2015. "Evaluating the Transferability of a U.S. Human Well-Being Index (HWBI) Framework to Native American Populations," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 157-182, October.

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