title: Calibrating contentment: the metrics of health and happiness.
abstract: This historical note examines Puerto Rico's pioneering role in the development of happiness studies. In 1963-64, the Puerto Health Department's Master Sample Survey included a series of questions on well-being to tap into self-assessed happiness. The study found that happiness was positively correlated with income, education, and health. It also found that women were less happy than men, and that well-being was negatively correlated with age. Since then, the metrics of happiness have gained currency, and several countries have adopted indices to measure their population's self-perceived well-being. Studies have also documented the reciprocal relationship between health and happiness.
authors.forename: Annette B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ramírez de Arellano
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006304:Health Status; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011647:Puerto Rico