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Wellbeing is a complex and multidimensional issue.[1] One
individual's sense of wellbeing is not necessarily same as of another. A
lender's perspective of wellbeing is likely to be different than that of
the borrower. A self-serving banker's perception of wellbeing is unlikely
to be same as the rest of the nation, as we have learnt now in a rather
hard way. States of wellbeing are usually measured by surveying sections
of society. Creation, execution and interpretation of such surveys can
be open to bias and influenced by confounding factors.[2] However, the
sense of wellbeing not only varies from person to person, but it also
varies with time and place. Therefore, extrapolating nation's state of
wellbeing, based on the surveys of sections of society, is unlikely to be
accurate. Most importantly, assessment of nation's wellbeing can be of use
if it helps improve the wellbeing of those who don't feel so well. If not,
it could be perceived as nothing more than a pure academic exercise
caterimg controversial political decision only.[3]
References: [1] Collins J. Castle Vale, Community well-being project.
<http://www.cvcwp.co.uk> [2] The International Development Research
Centre (IDRC). Designing and Conducting Health Systems Research Projects:
Volume 1. <http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-56604-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html> [3]
Reeves R. A Liberal Dose? Health and Wellbeing - the Role of the State. An
independent report.
It would be interesting to see what objective parameters will be used to judge the quality of life and contentment and how politicians might manipulate any 'happiness index' to advance their own political & personal agendas at the next general election. Of course, nearly a decade ago the BMJ canvassed the Recipes for happiness [1] and perhaps,government-policy makers could pick up some ideas from the interesting responses to that topic.
Wellbeing- by whom, for whom, of whom?
Wellbeing is a complex and multidimensional issue.[1] One
individual's sense of wellbeing is not necessarily same as of another. A
lender's perspective of wellbeing is likely to be different than that of
the borrower. A self-serving banker's perception of wellbeing is unlikely
to be same as the rest of the nation, as we have learnt now in a rather
hard way. States of wellbeing are usually measured by surveying sections
of society. Creation, execution and interpretation of such surveys can
be open to bias and influenced by confounding factors.[2] However, the
sense of wellbeing not only varies from person to person, but it also
varies with time and place. Therefore, extrapolating nation's state of
wellbeing, based on the surveys of sections of society, is unlikely to be
accurate. Most importantly, assessment of nation's wellbeing can be of use
if it helps improve the wellbeing of those who don't feel so well. If not,
it could be perceived as nothing more than a pure academic exercise
caterimg controversial political decision only.[3]
References: [1] Collins J. Castle Vale, Community well-being project.
<http://www.cvcwp.co.uk> [2] The International Development Research
Centre (IDRC). Designing and Conducting Health Systems Research Projects:
Volume 1. <http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-56604-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html> [3]
Reeves R. A Liberal Dose? Health and Wellbeing - the Role of the State. An
independent report.
<http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_111695.pdf>
Competing interests: No competing interests