Health in Iowa, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Iowa was 77.9 years in 2022, 18th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

77.9 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

4.50

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

13.7

2024

Suicides per 100,000

17.1

2024

People without health insurance

5.4%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

674,521

June 2026

Adults with obesity

36.6%

2024

How long do men and women live in Iowa?

Women in Iowa could expect to live 80.4 years and men 75.6 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.8 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Is life expectancy in Iowa going up?

Life expectancy in Iowa was 77.7 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.2 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How long do people live after 65 in Iowa?

A 65-year-old in Iowa could expect to live another 18.7 years in 2022 (19.9 for women, 17.4 for men); 24th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the infant mortality rate in Iowa?

164 babies died before their first birthday in Iowa in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 4.50 per 1,000 live births; 9th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.02 (189 deaths).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people die of drug overdoses in Iowa?

427 people died of drug overdoses in Iowa in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 13.7 per 100,000 people; 3rd lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 14.9 in 2023 (462 deaths) and 11.5 in 2019.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Are overdose deaths falling in Iowa?

CDC provisional data count about 362 drug overdose deaths in Iowa in the 12 months to May 2026, down 13.4% on the 12 months to May 2025 (418); 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 copy

How many overdose deaths in Iowa involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 75 of the 362 reported overdose deaths in Iowa in the 12 months to May 2026 (21%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 186 (51%). A death can involve more than one drug.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people die of heart disease in Iowa?

Heart disease killed 7,575 people in Iowa in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 169.9 per 100,000; 16th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 172.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the cancer death rate in Iowa?

Cancer caused 6,606 deaths in Iowa in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 149.4 per 100,000; 16th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 150.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the suicide rate in Iowa?

548 people in Iowa died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 17.1 per 100,000; 19th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 16.7 (528 deaths).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many gun deaths are there in Iowa?

Firearms were involved in 389 deaths in Iowa in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 11.8 per 100,000, joint 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 9.1).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people in Iowa have no health insurance?

5.4% of people in Iowa, about 174,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 12th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.4 percentage points on 2023 (5.0%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Iowa are uninsured?

3.8% of children under 19 in Iowa were uninsured in 2024, against 7.7% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Iowa are on Medicaid?

13.6% of residents of Iowa were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 49.3% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people are on Medicaid in Iowa?

674,521 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Iowa in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), up 0.5% on June 2025 (671,287); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How much has Medicaid enrollment in Iowa changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Iowa had 862,577 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 21.8% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Iowa?

Children made up 331,993 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Iowa in June 2026 (49%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 342,528. Iowa has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

What is the obesity rate in Iowa?

36.6% of adults in Iowa had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; joint 15th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 32.1%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people smoke in Iowa?

12.9% of adults in Iowa smoked cigarettes in 2024 (16th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 18.1% in 2015. 8.9% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Iowa?

11.4% of adults in Iowa had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 18.0% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 17th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people in Iowa cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 21.8% of adults in Iowa said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 8.0% 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 copy

How common is depression in Iowa?

20.4% of adults in Iowa reported binge drinking in 2024, and 19.8% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How Iowa compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Iowa ranks 18 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
15	Vermont	78.3 years
16	Wisconsin	78.1 years
17	Florida	77.9 years
18	Iowa	77.9 years
19	North Dakota	77.9 years
20	Maryland	77.8 years
21	Oregon	77.7 years

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Iowa ranks 27 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
24	Delaware	18.8 years
25	Pennsylvania	18.7 years
26	Illinois	18.7 years
27	Iowa	18.7 years
28	New Mexico	18.7 years
29	Maine	18.7 years
30	District of Columbia	18.7 years

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Iowa ranks 43 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
40	Wyoming	4.60
41	Colorado	4.54
42	Connecticut	4.51
43	Iowa	4.50
44	Maine	4.48
45	Hawaii	4.36
46	Rhode Island	4.20

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Iowa ranks 49 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
45	Texas	15.8
46	Montana	15.3
47	North Dakota	14.8
48	Arkansas	13.9
49	Iowa	13.7
50	South Dakota	11.9
51	Nebraska	8.1

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)

Iowa ranks 37 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
34	Kansas	462
35	Mississippi	416
36	Arkansas	374
37	Iowa	362
38	Maine	354
39	District of Columbia	318
40	Hawaii	295

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Iowa ranks 16 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
13	Indiana	179.6
14	Georgia	175.2
15	South Carolina	175.0
16	Iowa	169.9
17	Montana	164.8
18	Texas	163.1
19	Pennsylvania	162.4

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Iowa ranks 16 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
13	Kansas	151.4
14	Michigan	151.1
15	Delaware	150.6
16	Iowa	149.4
17	Maine	149.2
18	Alaska	149.1
19	North Carolina	148.8

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Iowa ranks 19 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
16	Kentucky	17.9
17	Kansas	17.9
18	Missouri	17.8
19	Iowa	17.1
20	Indiana	16.8
21	Tennessee	16.4
22	West Virginia	16.4

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Iowa ranks 37 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
34	Pennsylvania	11.9
35	Michigan	11.9
36	Maine	11.9
37	Iowa	11.8
38	Delaware	11.8
39	Maryland	11.6
40	Washington	11.0

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

People without health insurance (2024)

Iowa ranks 40 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
37	Connecticut	5.8%
38	West Virginia	5.8%
39	Maine	5.5%
40	Iowa	5.4%
41	Wisconsin	5.3%
42	Oregon	5.2%
43	Michigan	5.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Iowa ranks 37 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
34	Wisconsin	4.2%
35	Louisiana	4.1%
36	Washington	3.9%
37	Iowa	3.8%
38	Minnesota	3.7%
39	Rhode Island	3.7%
40	Illinois	3.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)

Iowa ranks 32 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
29	Connecticut	895,290
30	Arkansas	773,838
31	Nevada	711,617
32	Iowa	674,521
33	New Mexico	673,265
34	Mississippi	584,125
35	West Virginia	485,007

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)

Iowa ranks 18 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
15	District of Columbia	-20.0%
16	Nevada	-20.6%
17	Pennsylvania	-20.8%
18	Iowa	-21.8%
19	Alabama	-22.2%
20	North Dakota	-22.5%
21	Alaska	-22.7%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)

Iowa ranks 15 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
12	Ohio	36.9%
13	North Dakota	36.8%
14	Oklahoma	36.8%
15	Iowa	36.6%
16	Delaware	36.6%
17	Michigan	36.1%
18	Texas	35.6%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Iowa ranks 16 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
13	Kansas	13.7%
14	South Dakota	13.5%
15	Michigan	13.4%
16	Iowa	12.9%
17	Wyoming	12.7%
18	South Carolina	12.6%
19	North Dakota	12.3%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Iowa ranks 34 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
31	Arizona	11.5%
32	Hawaii	11.5%
33	Maine	11.5%
34	Iowa	11.4%
35	Missouri	11.2%
36	New Jersey	10.8%
37	North Dakota	10.6%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

More on Iowa: 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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