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Index of Human Well-Being for the U.S.: A TRIO Approach
Citation:
Summers, Kevin, L. Smith, AND L. Harwell. Index of Human Well-Being for the U.S.: A TRIO Approach. Presented at International Conference of the Society for Human Ecology, Bar Harbor, ME, October 22 - 25, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation of development and application of human well-being index
Description:
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, its relationship to ecosystem, economic and social services are described 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. For example, an application to Native American tribes demonstrates the transferability of the index to populations of interest, or groups or communities facing specific stresses. The potential utility of HWBI for comparing the intended and unintended consequences of alternative decisions is described.