Health in Kansas, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Kansas was 76.5 years in 2022, 18th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

76.5 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

5.86

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

19.7

2024

Suicides per 100,000

17.9

2024

People without health insurance

8.5%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

393,912

June 2026

Adults with obesity

37.6%

2024

How long do men and women live in Kansas?

Women in Kansas could expect to live 78.9 years and men 74.1 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 Kansas going up?

Life expectancy in Kansas was 76.0 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.5 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 Kansas?

A 65-year-old in Kansas could expect to live another 18.1 years in 2022 (19.2 for women, 16.9 for men); 15th 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 Kansas?

199 babies died before their first birthday in Kansas in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.86 per 1,000 live births; 25th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.42 (192 deaths).

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

How many people die of drug overdoses in Kansas?

570 people died of drug overdoses in Kansas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 19.7 per 100,000 people; 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 22.8 in 2023 (653 deaths) and 14.3 in 2019.

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

Are overdose deaths falling in Kansas?

CDC provisional data count about 462 drug overdose deaths in Kansas in the 12 months to May 2026, down 18.1% on the 12 months to May 2025 (564); 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 Kansas involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 206 of the 462 reported overdose deaths in Kansas in the 12 months to May 2026 (45%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 235 (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 Kansas?

Heart disease killed 6,074 people in Kansas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 160.9 per 100,000; 21st highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 166.0).

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

What is the cancer death rate in Kansas?

Cancer caused 5,773 deaths in Kansas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 151.4 per 100,000; 13th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 153.8).

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

What is the suicide rate in Kansas?

527 people in Kansas died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 17.9 per 100,000; joint 16th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 18.2 (523 deaths).

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

How many gun deaths are there in Kansas?

Firearms were involved in 446 deaths in Kansas in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 15.2 per 100,000, 24th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 13.7).

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

How many people in Kansas have no health insurance?

8.5% of people in Kansas, about 248,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 17th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.1 percentage points on 2023 (8.4%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Kansas are uninsured?

7.0% of children under 19 in Kansas were uninsured in 2024, against 11.7% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Kansas are on Medicaid?

8.6% of residents of Kansas were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 50.0% 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 Kansas?

393,912 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Kansas in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 4.7% on June 2025 (413,232); 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 Kansas changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Kansas had 510,806 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 22.9% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Kansas?

Children made up 273,865 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Kansas in June 2026 (70%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 120,047. Kansas has not 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 Kansas?

37.6% of adults in Kansas had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 8th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 34.2%; 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 Kansas?

13.7% of adults in Kansas smoked cigarettes in 2024 (13th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 17.7% in 2015. 9.4% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Kansas?

12.5% of adults in Kansas had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 18.1% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 21st highest 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 Kansas cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 22.4% of adults in Kansas said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 11.5% 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 Kansas?

16.4% of adults in Kansas reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.3% 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 Kansas compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Kansas ranks 33 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
30	Arizona	76.7 years
31	Maine	76.6 years
32	District of Columbia	76.6 years
33	Kansas	76.5 years
34	Delaware	76.5 years
35	Nevada	76.4 years
36	Georgia	75.9 years

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

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Kansas ranks 37 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
34	Michigan	18.4 years
35	Texas	18.3 years
36	North Carolina	18.1 years
37	Kansas	18.1 years
38	South Carolina	18.0 years
39	Georgia	17.9 years
40	Nevada	17.9 years

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

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Kansas ranks 25 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
22	North Dakota	5.92
23	Wisconsin	5.91
24	Kentucky	5.88
25	Kansas	5.86
26	Florida	5.74
27	Illinois	5.73
28	Texas	5.70

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

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

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

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
34	New Jersey	20.2
35	Wyoming	20.1
36	Wisconsin	19.8
37	Kansas	19.7
38	Illinois	19.3
39	Michigan	19.1
40	Mississippi	18.6

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

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

Kansas ranks 34 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
31	Oklahoma	781
32	West Virginia	663
33	Utah	646
34	Kansas	462
35	Mississippi	416
36	Arkansas	374
37	Iowa	362

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

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

Kansas ranks 21 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
18	Texas	163.1
19	Pennsylvania	162.4
20	North Dakota	161.1
21	Kansas	160.9
22	Utah	160.5
23	Wisconsin	160.1
24	Vermont	157.6

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

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

Kansas ranks 13 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
10	Ohio	154.9
11	Alabama	154.0
12	South Carolina	151.9
13	Kansas	151.4
14	Michigan	151.1
15	Delaware	150.6
16	Iowa	149.4

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

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

Kansas ranks 17 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
14	Arkansas	19.0
15	Arizona	18.9
16	Kentucky	17.9
17	Kansas	17.9
18	Missouri	17.8
19	Iowa	17.1
20	Indiana	16.8

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

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

Kansas ranks 24 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
21	Idaho	15.9
22	Colorado	15.3
23	West Virginia	15.3
24	Kansas	15.2
25	Ohio	14.6
26	Oregon	14.2
27	Texas	13.9

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

People without health insurance (2024)

Kansas ranks 17 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
14	South Carolina	9.0%
15	Montana	8.8%
16	North Carolina	8.6%
17	Kansas	8.5%
18	Utah	8.3%
19	Alabama	8.2%
20	South Dakota	8.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Kansas ranks 13 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
10	Georgia	7.9%
11	Arkansas	7.7%
12	Montana	7.7%
13	Kansas	7.0%
14	North Dakota	6.7%
15	Missouri	6.6%
16	Utah	6.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Kansas ranks 36 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
33	New Mexico	673,265
34	Mississippi	584,125
35	West Virginia	485,007
36	Kansas	393,912
37	Hawaii	391,710
38	Nebraska	330,435
39	Maine	327,698

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Kansas ranks 23 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
20	North Dakota	-22.5%
21	Alaska	-22.7%
22	Kentucky	-22.9%
23	Kansas	-22.9%
24	New Jersey	-23.0%
25	Tennessee	-23.2%
26	Wisconsin	-23.3%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Kansas ranks 8 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
5	Arkansas	38.9%
6	Indiana	38.4%
7	Nebraska	37.6%
8	Kansas	37.6%
9	Wisconsin	37.4%
10	Kentucky	37.2%
11	South Dakota	37.0%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Kansas ranks 13 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
10	Alabama	14.0%
11	Indiana	13.9%
12	Mississippi	13.8%
13	Kansas	13.7%
14	South Dakota	13.5%
15	Michigan	13.4%
16	Iowa	12.9%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Kansas ranks 21 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
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%
24	New Mexico	12.3%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

More on Kansas: 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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