SmileHub Blog

The value of tight-knit communities where residents genuinely care for one another cannot be overstated. Strong social connections offer many benefits, after all, such as lower stress, anxiety, and depression levels. However, according to a Pew Research Center survey, only 66% of Americans feel close to their fellow citizens, and just 54% of adults feel close to people in their local communities.

There are over 73 million children in the U.S., and only 10% of the federal budget goes toward supporting them. Ensuring their health, safety and development is critical for the continued growth of our country, but the quality of the support systems in place for children varies greatly from state to state.

The widespread prevalence of smoking, excessive alcohol use and overconsumption of fast food has contributed to a growing number of health issues in the U.S., such as cancers and heart disease. To combat these issues, people are encouraged to exercise, eat healthily and get regular check-ups with health professionals. However, some states are better than others at providing quality care and healthier lifestyle opportunities.

Outdoor activities provide a wide range of benefits for states and their citizens. For individuals, being in nature boosts their physical and mental health. For states, the presence of outdoor activities provides an economic benefit, while also helping preserve natural areas through increased participation in conservation efforts.

Annual spending on research & development in the U.S. has climbed from $406 billion in 2010 to nearly $886 billion in 2022, according to the latest data available from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. This funding supports the efforts of researchers responsible for new technologies, infrastructure development, health care advances and more.

There are over 650,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unhoused individuals struggle to get the bare minimum when it comes to food and health care, and most find it difficult to get out of the situation in part because it is hard to find a job or stable housing, considering the expensive rental market. Alongside issues such as high rates of mental illness, this combination of factors has created a situation where nearly one-third of all homeless people experience chronic patterns of homelessness, the highest rate since data was first recorded in 2007.

Educational innovation in the United States plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of jobs and communities. Through hybrid or virtual learning over platforms like Zoom, schools are able to hold classes without disruption when people are sick and provide education access to more students. Additionally, recent trends in project-based learning help students across disciplines learn from the real world while still in school, boosting creativity and flexibility.

There are approximately 17.9 million veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces living in the United States, as of 2024. The sacrifices these men and women have made for our country are what give us both freedom and safety. Although benefits for veterans are available nationwide, there are still some states that are better for veterans than others.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom to practice any religion or none at all, and this fundamental right remains a cornerstone of American values. Nationally, 68% of adults consider religion to be either moderately or very important in their lives. Given its importance, understanding the best places for religious inclusivity can be key to finding your community.

Nearly 40 million Americans live in poverty in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. These individuals struggle with food insecurity and access to quality education, housing, health care and more. While each state has taken action to reduce poverty, some states support their impoverished residents much more than others.

From watching the Super Bowl-winning touchdown from home with friends to seeing the U.S. rack up medals in the Olympics, Americans can’t get enough of their favorite sports. In fact, of the top 100 most-watched TV broadcasts in 2023, 93 were accounted for by NFL programming, according to Nielsen data. Beyond television, how much Americans care about sports is reflected in the success of local professional and college teams, the access provided to youth, and education opportunities in related fields.

The U.S. produces over 292 million tons of waste per year, or over 4.9 pounds per person per day, according to the latest data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, due to pollution, California, Oregon, Michigan, Indiana and South Carolina each have over 12,000 miles of river unsuitable for human contact. Pollution and waste are issues across the U.S., but some states work harder than others to limit their impact.

The U.S. experienced the most billion-dollar disasters in its recorded history during 2023, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Despite the need for preparation, the latest data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicates that only 45% of adults believe they are prepared for a natural disaster, and 42% plan on preparing but have not taken action yet.

The arts benefit communities in the U.S. in many ways besides employing over 4.9 million people. Engagement with the arts is shown to benefit mental health, improve the likelihood of young people being recognized for academic achievement, and communicate messages between groups with cultural and political differences. Creating an environment where the arts thrive requires access to artistic opportunities, charitable giving to support artists, policies and businesses to sustain the art economy, and an emphasis on the arts in education.

The U.S. has nearly 3,000 native species of animals, but up to one-third of America’s species are at risk of extinction, so more conservation work is necessary. In addition, nearly 90.5 million households in the U.S. own pets, which rely on our support to survive, and residents of some states take better care of their pets than others.

Americans donated an estimated $499 billion to charity in 2022. Our collective generosity supports many different causes each year, but donations are not keeping up with inflationary pressure. Charitable giving is actually down year over year after adjusting for inflation.

Effective and Last Updated Date: July 21, 2023

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