Why a RI Life Index?
At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, our vision to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island was the impetus for the creation of the Index. In order to address social drivers of health such as safe and affordable housing, access to transportation, the availability of nutritious food, and financial stability, we needed a clear assessment of the landscape. As a proud local company and the state’s largest health insurer, we are committed to building a healthier Rhode Island. Information we learn from the Index has, and continues to, inform this important work.

Why is perception‑based data important for understanding health and well‑being?
To truly understand the health of a community, we must look beyond medical records and census data to understand how residents actually experience their daily lives. For instance, clinical data can tell us how many people have asthma, but it doesn’t tell us if they feel safe walking in their neighborhood for exercise, or if they find it impossible to afford fresh produce. Perception data captures the social drivers of health such as housing stability, food security and neighborhood safety. It highlights where people feel the system is failing them, pointing to systemic issues that other data might miss. Perception-based data are “bottom-up” rather than “top-down,” ensuring that Rhode Islanders are the ones defining what a “healthy life” looks like for them.

Is the RI Life Index unique to Rhode Island?
While other states have "Quality of Life" indices, the RI Life Index is a unique, local partnership specifically tailored to Rhode Island's geography and demographics. It is one of the first state-specific indices to so closely link social drivers of health with resident perceptions in a consistent, annual format.

How are phone numbers obtained- and will I be asked to participate in the RI Life Index?

Participants are randomly selected to ensure the RI Life Index accurately reflects our state's diverse population. We reach Rhode Islanders using three primary methods:

• Landlines: We use random digit dialing to reach both listed and unlisted numbers (sourced via ADSE Survey Sampler).
• Cell Phones: We draw from dedicated wireless exchanges within Rhode Island (sourced via Dynata).
• Online: Some participants are reached through Lucid, a market research platform, using specific quotas for age, gender, and region to ensure demographic accuracy.

If you are selected at random to participate, here are some helpful things for you to know:

• Caller ID: You will receive a call from a Rhode Island area code (401). The caller ID will typically display “RMR”, which stands for ReconMR, a partner of the Siena College Research Institute.
• Anonymity: Your answers are completely anonymous. We collect data to understand broad community trends, not to identify individuals.
• Your Impact: If you see this call, please answer! Your lived experience is essential for creating an accurate picture of health and well-being in the RI Life Index.

Note: All participants are screened to confirm they are current residents of Rhode Island before the survey begins.

How much time do RI Life Index participants spend completing the survey?
The RI Life Index survey typically takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Is participation confidential?
Yes. Individual responses are kept confidential. Data are aggregated (grouped together) so that no single person’s answers can be identified. The goal is to see broad community trends, not individual profiles.

How is information from the RI Life Index used?
The Index enables BCBSRI, as well as community-based organizations and others working in public health, to measure progress in improving the perceptions of health and well-being over time. This data also help boost-on-the-ground community-based organizations in their essential work to improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders. By summarizing firsthand perceptions of the residents of our state, the Index offers data that can be paired with other resources better capture the state’s health landscape.

For example, the 2025 HousingWorks RI Housing Fact Book noted that the "RI Life Index, produced by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Brown University School of Public Health, provides insights into residents’ perceptions of how they are faring across the SDoH domains.” In 2024, Rhode Islanders reported cost of living and affordable housing as top concerns. Also, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s 2025 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island stated, “One in three Rhode Island households experience food insecurity, according to The RI Life Index, a study conducted by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Brown University School of Public Health.” These are just two recent examples of how data from the report can be leveraged to underscore important points about factors influencing health and well-being and to advance the conversation about solutions to longstanding challenges.

How do you decide which topics to cover?
A core group of 18 questions that address quality of life and quality of community are asked each year to measure progress year over year. The remainder of the survey question topics are determined by the RI Life Index Coalition based on the need to fill knowledge gaps in other existing data resources. We know that there are social factors that make achieving well-being harder for particular demographic groups. Since 2020, we have focused on the impact of social drivers of health on Black and Latino/a Rhode Islanders.

How can nonprofits, municipalities, or community coalitions use RI Life Index data in their work?

Nonprofits, municipalities and community coalitions can use the RI Life Index data as a strategic toolkit. For instance:

• Strengthening Grant Applications and Fundraising: Nonprofits often need to prove the “need” for their programs to secure funding. Organizations can tailor their grant proposals to the local challenges of the people they serve.
• Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Municipalities and community coalitions can use the data to decide where a limited budget will have the most impact. Because the Index has been running since 2019, leaders can see if conditions are improving or declining over time.
• Advocating for Policy Change: Community coalitions can use the Index to lobby state and local legislators. The findings can be used to rally around a shared legislative agenda.

Can organizations cite or repurpose RI Life Index data in grants, reports, or policy briefs? 

Yes. The data are intended to be a public resource. The data are frequently used in:

• Grant Applications: To demonstrate the "need" for a project with localized, recent data.
• Policy Briefs: To support legislative testimony regarding housing, transit, or food access.
• Community Reports: To track progress or stagnation in specific social areas over time.
• Note: When citing, attribute the data to the RI Life Index, a partnership between Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Brown University School of Public Health.

Where can I find key takeaways or highlights without exploring the full dataset?
You can find highlights of all of the data on the website, rilifeindex.org. There you will find summary technical reports, infographics, and even podcasts on selected topics.