Health in California, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in California was 79.3 years in 2022, 6th longest 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 California?
Women in California could expect to live 82.1 years and men 76.7 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.4 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in California going up?
Life expectancy in California was 78.3 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.0 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 California?
A 65-year-old in California could expect to live another 19.7 years in 2022 (21.0 for women, 18.3 for men); 5th longest 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 California?
1,682 babies died before their first birthday in California in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 4.18 per 1,000 live births; 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 4.23 (1,889 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in California?
9,028 people died of drug overdoses in California in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 21.7 per 100,000 people; 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 27.9 in 2023 (11,378 deaths) and 15.0 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in California?
CDC provisional data count about 8,554 drug overdose deaths in California in the 12 months to May 2026, down 9.5% on the 12 months to May 2025 (9,453); 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 California involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 4,047 of the 8,250 reported overdose deaths in California in the 12 months to May 2026 (49%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 4,784 (58%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in California?
Heart disease killed 62,439 people in California in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 130.4 per 100,000; 6th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 136.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in California?
Cancer caused 61,157 deaths in California in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 126.4 per 100,000; 8th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 131.6).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in California?
4,022 people in California died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 9.6 per 100,000; 6th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 10.7 (4,436 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in California?
Firearms were involved in 2,853 deaths in California in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 7.0 per 100,000, 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 7.2).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in California have no health insurance?
5.9% of people in California, about 2,314,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 17th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is down 0.5 percentage points on 2023 (6.4%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in California are uninsured?
3.1% of children under 19 in California were uninsured in 2024, against 8.4% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in California are on Medicaid?
20.8% of residents of California were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 43.8% 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 California?
11,659,421 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in California in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 12.9% on June 2025 (13,382,455); 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 California changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, California had 14,285,643 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 18.4% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in California?
Children made up 4,443,767 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in California in June 2026 (38%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 7,215,654. California 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 California?
29.1% of adults in California had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 7th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 24.2%; 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 California?
7.6% of adults in California smoked cigarettes in 2024 (2nd lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 11.7% in 2015. 6.6% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in California?
12.6% of adults in California had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 21.1% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 20th highest 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 California cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 20.7% of adults in California said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 11.6% 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 California?
15.4% of adults in California reported binge drinking in 2024, and 17.8% 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 California compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
California ranks 6 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | New Jersey | 79.6 years |
| 4 | New York | 79.5 years |
| 5 | Connecticut | 79.4 years |
| 6 | California | 79.3 years |
| 7 | Minnesota | 79.3 years |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 79.2 years |
| 9 | Utah | 79.0 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
California ranks 4 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 20.5 years |
| 2 | New York | 19.8 years |
| 3 | Connecticut | 19.8 years |
| 4 | California | 19.7 years |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 19.7 years |
| 6 | New Jersey | 19.6 years |
| 7 | Minnesota | 19.6 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
California ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Maine | 4.48 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 4.36 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 4.20 |
| 47 | California | 4.18 |
| 48 | New York | 3.95 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 3.49 |
| 50 | New Jersey | 3.37 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
California ranks 28 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Alabama | 25.0 |
| 26 | Missouri | 23.7 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | 21.8 |
| 28 | California | 21.7 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | 21.6 |
| 30 | Florida | 21.3 |
| 31 | New York | 21.3 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
California ranks 1 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,554 |
| 2 | Texas | 4,444 |
| 3 | Florida | 4,001 |
| 4 | New York | 3,652 |
| 5 | Arizona | 2,822 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2,620 |
| 7 | Washington | 2,528 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
California ranks 46 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Washington | 133.2 |
| 44 | Oregon | 132.7 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 130.6 |
| 46 | California | 130.4 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 128.9 |
| 48 | Minnesota | 121.9 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 121.5 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
California ranks 44 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Rhode Island | 129.9 |
| 42 | Arizona | 127.3 |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 127.0 |
| 44 | California | 126.4 |
| 45 | New Mexico | 126.2 |
| 46 | Connecticut | 123.5 |
| 47 | Colorado | 122.2 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
California ranks 46 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Illinois | 10.8 |
| 44 | Connecticut | 10.0 |
| 45 | Maryland | 9.7 |
| 46 | California | 9.6 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 8.9 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | 8.3 |
| 49 | New York | 8.1 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
California ranks 45 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Vermont | 10.6 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | 10.2 |
| 44 | Minnesota | 9.8 |
| 45 | California | 7.0 |
| 46 | Connecticut | 5.8 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 4.6 |
| 48 | New York | 4.4 |
People without health insurance (2024)
California ranks 35 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Washington | 6.5% |
| 33 | Maryland | 6.3% |
| 34 | North Dakota | 6.1% |
| 35 | California | 5.9% |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | 5.8% |
| 37 | Connecticut | 5.8% |
| 38 | West Virginia | 5.8% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
California ranks 42 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Rhode Island | 3.7% |
| 40 | Illinois | 3.6% |
| 41 | Michigan | 3.5% |
| 42 | California | 3.1% |
| 43 | Hawaii | 2.9% |
| 44 | West Virginia | 2.8% |
| 45 | New York | 2.7% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
California ranks 1 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11,659,421 |
| 2 | New York | 6,380,652 |
| 3 | Texas | 3,915,559 |
| 4 | Florida | 3,565,369 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 2,952,912 |
| 6 | Illinois | 2,932,625 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 2,811,382 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
California ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Hawaii | -15.8% |
| 8 | Nebraska | -16.8% |
| 9 | Missouri | -17.4% |
| 10 | California | -18.4% |
| 11 | Washington | -18.8% |
| 12 | Maryland | -18.9% |
| 13 | Minnesota | -19.5% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
California ranks 44 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Montana | 31.0% |
| 42 | Florida | 29.6% |
| 43 | New York | 29.5% |
| 44 | California | 29.1% |
| 45 | Vermont | 29.0% |
| 46 | New Jersey | 27.7% |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 27.0% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
California ranks 49 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | New Jersey | 8.6% |
| 45 | District of Columbia | 8.5% |
| 46 | Hawaii | 8.1% |
| 47 | Washington | 7.9% |
| 48 | Maryland | 7.8% |
| 49 | California | 7.6% |
| 50 | Utah | 5.7% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
California ranks 20 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Virginia | 12.9% |
| 18 | Georgia | 12.8% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12.8% |
| 20 | California | 12.6% |
| 21 | Kansas | 12.5% |
| 22 | Maryland | 12.4% |
| 23 | New York | 12.3% |
More on California: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.