Health in Alaska, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Alaska was 75.8 years in 2022, 14th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
How long do men and women live in Alaska?
Women in Alaska could expect to live 78.3 years and men 73.7 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.6 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Alaska going up?
Life expectancy in Alaska was 74.5 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.3 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Alaska?
A 65-year-old in Alaska could expect to live another 18.6 years in 2022 (19.6 for women, 17.6 for men); 21st shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Alaska?
61 babies died before their first birthday in Alaska in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 6.82 per 1,000 live births; 9th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 4.99 (49 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Alaska?
340 people died of drug overdoses in Alaska in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 45.1 per 100,000 people; 2nd highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 49.4 in 2023 (359 deaths) and 17.8 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Alaska?
CDC provisional data count about 292 drug overdose deaths in Alaska in the 12 months to May 2026, down 11.0% on the 12 months to May 2025 (328); nationally the count went from 75,094 to 66,478. These counts are predicted values that allow for deaths still being investigated.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many overdose deaths in Alaska involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 205 of the 292 reported overdose deaths in Alaska in the 12 months to May 2026 (70%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 164 (56%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Alaska?
Heart disease killed 831 people in Alaska in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 116.3 per 100,000; the lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 129.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Alaska?
Cancer caused 1,149 deaths in Alaska in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 149.1 per 100,000; 18th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 146.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Alaska?
222 people in Alaska died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 29.7 per 100,000; the highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 28.5 (210 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Alaska?
Firearms were involved in 182 deaths in Alaska in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 24.4 per 100,000, 3rd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 24.4).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Alaska have no health insurance?
11.0% of people in Alaska, about 78,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 5th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.6 percentage points on 2023 (10.4%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Alaska are uninsured?
8.8% of children under 19 in Alaska were uninsured in 2024, against 14.5% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Alaska are on Medicaid?
15.6% of residents of Alaska were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 40.4% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people are on Medicaid in Alaska?
206,739 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Alaska in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 8.1% on June 2025 (224,980); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in Alaska changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Alaska had 267,278 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 22.7% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Alaska?
Children made up 83,523 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Alaska in June 2026 (40%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 123,216. Alaska has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in Alaska?
34.0% of adults in Alaska had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 24th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 29.8%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people smoke in Alaska?
14.7% of adults in Alaska smoked cigarettes in 2024 (5th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 19.1% in 2015. 8.4% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Alaska?
9.4% of adults in Alaska had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 17.7% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 7th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people in Alaska cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 18.1% of adults in Alaska said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 11.9% said that in the past year they had needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost (state medians: 21.8% and 11.5%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow common is depression in Alaska?
18.6% of adults in Alaska reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.9% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow Alaska compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Alaska ranks 38 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Nevada | 76.4 years |
| 36 | Georgia | 75.9 years |
| 37 | North Carolina | 75.9 years |
| 38 | Alaska | 75.8 years |
| 39 | Ohio | 75.6 years |
| 40 | Indiana | 75.4 years |
| 41 | Missouri | 75.2 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Alaska ranks 31 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | New Mexico | 18.7 years |
| 29 | Maine | 18.7 years |
| 30 | District of Columbia | 18.7 years |
| 31 | Alaska | 18.6 years |
| 32 | Virginia | 18.5 years |
| 33 | Wyoming | 18.5 years |
| 34 | Michigan | 18.4 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Alaska ranks 9 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Oklahoma | 7.42 |
| 7 | South Dakota | 7.34 |
| 8 | Alabama | 7.06 |
| 9 | Alaska | 6.82 |
| 10 | Ohio | 6.65 |
| 11 | West Virginia | 6.64 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 6.54 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Alaska ranks 2 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 48.9 |
| 2 | Alaska | 45.1 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 43.2 |
| 4 | Washington | 37.6 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 37.1 |
| 6 | Nevada | 35.9 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 35.2 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Alaska ranks 41 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Maine | 354 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | 318 |
| 40 | Hawaii | 295 |
| 41 | Alaska | 292 |
| 42 | Idaho | 265 |
| 43 | Delaware | 255 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 245 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Alaska ranks 51 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Hawaii | 130.6 |
| 46 | California | 130.4 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 128.9 |
| 48 | Minnesota | 121.9 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 121.5 |
| 50 | Colorado | 118.8 |
| 51 | Alaska | 116.3 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Alaska ranks 18 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Delaware | 150.6 |
| 16 | Iowa | 149.4 |
| 17 | Maine | 149.2 |
| 18 | Alaska | 149.1 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 148.8 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 145.7 |
| 21 | South Dakota | 145.5 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Alaska ranks 1 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 29.7 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 27.8 |
| 3 | Montana | 26.8 |
| 4 | New Mexico | 24.6 |
| 5 | South Dakota | 21.9 |
| 6 | Idaho | 21.2 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 20.9 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Alaska ranks 3 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 28.0 |
| 2 | New Mexico | 26.6 |
| 3 | Alaska | 24.4 |
| 4 | Alabama | 23.7 |
| 5 | Wyoming | 23.4 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 22.9 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 20.6 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Alaska ranks 5 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Georgia | 12.0% |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 11.5% |
| 4 | Nevada | 11.4% |
| 5 | Alaska | 11.0% |
| 6 | Florida | 10.9% |
| 7 | Arizona | 10.3% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 10.3% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Alaska ranks 4 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 13.6% |
| 2 | Arizona | 9.3% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 9.0% |
| 4 | Alaska | 8.8% |
| 5 | Florida | 8.5% |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 8.5% |
| 7 | Idaho | 8.1% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Alaska ranks 45 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Rhode Island | 283,863 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | 237,170 |
| 44 | Delaware | 234,783 |
| 45 | Alaska | 206,739 |
| 46 | Montana | 205,414 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 167,648 |
| 48 | Vermont | 145,492 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Alaska ranks 21 of 51, highest first. March 2023 was the last month of pandemic continuous enrollment
| Rank | Region | Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Iowa | -21.8% |
| 19 | Alabama | -22.2% |
| 20 | North Dakota | -22.5% |
| 21 | Alaska | -22.7% |
| 22 | Kentucky | -22.9% |
| 23 | Kansas | -22.9% |
| 24 | New Jersey | -23.0% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Alaska ranks 27 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Nevada | 34.2% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 34.2% |
| 26 | Illinois | 34.2% |
| 27 | Alaska | 34.0% |
| 28 | Oregon | 33.6% |
| 29 | Arizona | 33.3% |
| 30 | Maine | 33.2% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Alaska ranks 5 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kentucky | 17.2% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 16.5% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 15.0% |
| 5 | Alaska | 14.7% |
| 6 | Missouri | 14.7% |
| 7 | Maine | 14.4% |
| 8 | Ohio | 14.1% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Alaska ranks 44 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Minnesota | 10.1% |
| 42 | Washington | 10.0% |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 9.6% |
| 44 | Alaska | 9.4% |
| 45 | Idaho | 9.3% |
| 46 | Vermont | 8.9% |
| 47 | Montana | 8.7% |
More on Alaska: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Types of health insurance coverage by age (B27010), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 737090000f71…)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, 2011 to present: selected questions, 2015 and 2023-2025, all adults, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7ab093888a27…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Cancer mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 16647d000278…)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: State Medicaid and CHIP Applications, Eligibility Determinations, and Enrollment Data (Performance Indicator data, September 2026 release), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fc730af4f67…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Firearm mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 93f4daddcb09…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Heart disease mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 53ffcd80b442…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Infant mortality rates by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8e6ba1c198b…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): U.S. State Life Tables, 2022 (National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 74, No. 12), Tables A, B and C, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1373546ce89…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Drug overdose mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1990aeae39f4…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Suicide mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5df6571a02ff…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (12-month ending periods, May and December 2019-2026, selected indicators), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 68a227998fc5…)
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