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| Coastside tops U.S. health survey Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:41 AM PST It’s now official — the greater Half Moon Bay area is the healthiest, happiest region of the United States, according to a new Gallup Poll. Released last week, the study surveyed Americans throughout 2009 on their health, financial status, happiness, exercise habits and work environment. The study broke down the information into a comparison of the 435 congressional districts nationwide. And at the top of the list for overall well-being was U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo’s congressional district that stretches from Half Moon Bay down the coast to Santa Cruz and includes Mountain View, Palo Alto and other Peninsula cities. The district was given top marks for healthy lifestyles and good work environments, although it was slightly less stellar when it came to emotional well-being and people’s self-evaluation of their own lives. The poll also indicated local people had excellent access to health care, a finding that might leave some Coastsiders scratching their heads. Neighboring districts in San Francisco, San Mateo and San Jose also rated very high; however the situation was completely different on the other side of the bay. Fremont, Oakland and Vallejo were among the unhealthiest areas in the country. — Mark Noack |