Health in Louisiana, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Louisiana was 73.8 years in 2022, 4th 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 Louisiana?
Women in Louisiana could expect to live 77.2 years and men 70.6 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 6.6 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Louisiana going up?
Life expectancy in Louisiana was 72.2 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.6 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 Louisiana?
A 65-year-old in Louisiana could expect to live another 17.5 years in 2022 (18.8 for women, 16.1 for men); 8th 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 Louisiana?
404 babies died before their first birthday in Louisiana in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 7.58 per 1,000 live births; 4th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 7.97 (470 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Louisiana?
1,467 people died of drug overdoses in Louisiana in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 33.5 per 100,000 people; joint 10th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 50.6 in 2023 (2,224 deaths) and 28.3 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Louisiana?
CDC provisional data count about 1,160 drug overdose deaths in Louisiana in the 12 months to May 2026, down 13.0% on the 12 months to May 2025 (1,333); 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 people die of heart disease in Louisiana?
Heart disease killed 12,327 people in Louisiana in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 220.0 per 100,000; 4th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 207.8).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Louisiana?
Cancer caused 9,296 deaths in Louisiana in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 158.3 per 100,000; 8th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 168.1).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Louisiana?
654 people in Louisiana died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.1 per 100,000; joint 18th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 15.0 (704 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Louisiana?
Firearms were involved in 1,031 deaths in Louisiana in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 22.9 per 100,000, 6th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 22.1).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Louisiana have no health insurance?
7.7% of people in Louisiana, about 348,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.8 percentage points on 2023 (6.9%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Louisiana are uninsured?
4.1% of children under 19 in Louisiana were uninsured in 2024, against 11.5% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Louisiana are on Medicaid?
22.4% of residents of Louisiana were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 37.8% 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 Louisiana?
1,264,327 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Louisiana in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 14.6% on June 2025 (1,480,362); 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 Louisiana changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Louisiana had 1,916,873 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 34.0% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Louisiana?
Children made up 633,066 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Louisiana in June 2026 (50%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 631,261. Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
39.2% of adults in Louisiana had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 3rd highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 36.2%; 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 Louisiana?
15.0% of adults in Louisiana smoked cigarettes in 2024 (4th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 21.9% in 2015. 9.6% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Louisiana?
15.4% of adults in Louisiana had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 24.1% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 3rd 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 Louisiana cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 27.6% of adults in Louisiana said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 14.8% 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 Louisiana?
17.3% of adults in Louisiana reported binge drinking in 2024, and 26.6% 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 Louisiana compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Louisiana ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Arkansas | 73.9 years |
| 45 | Tennessee | 73.8 years |
| 46 | Alabama | 73.8 years |
| 47 | Louisiana | 73.8 years |
| 48 | Oklahoma | 73.8 years |
| 49 | Kentucky | 73.6 years |
| 50 | Mississippi | 72.6 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Louisiana ranks 44 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Ohio | 17.8 years |
| 42 | Missouri | 17.8 years |
| 43 | Indiana | 17.7 years |
| 44 | Louisiana | 17.5 years |
| 45 | Tennessee | 17.2 years |
| 46 | Alabama | 17.1 years |
| 47 | Arkansas | 17.0 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Louisiana ranks 4 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 9.65 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 8.28 |
| 3 | Delaware | 7.77 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 7.58 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 7.49 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 7.42 |
| 7 | South Dakota | 7.34 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 10 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Tennessee | 35.2 |
| 8 | Maine | 35.2 |
| 9 | Vermont | 33.6 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 33.5 |
| 11 | Kentucky | 33.5 |
| 12 | Oregon | 33.5 |
| 13 | Delaware | 33.4 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Louisiana ranks 23 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Virginia | 1,212 |
| 21 | Missouri | 1,205 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 1,198 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 1,160 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 1,128 |
| 25 | Kentucky | 1,034 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | 997 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 4 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 254.3 |
| 2 | Mississippi | 236.5 |
| 3 | Alabama | 223.9 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 220.0 |
| 5 | Arkansas | 217.1 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 210.0 |
| 7 | West Virginia | 205.3 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 8 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tennessee | 165.1 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 161.7 |
| 7 | Missouri | 159.7 |
| 8 | Louisiana | 158.3 |
| 9 | Indiana | 156.4 |
| 10 | Ohio | 154.9 |
| 11 | Alabama | 154.0 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 35 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Georgia | 14.3 |
| 33 | Texas | 14.2 |
| 34 | North Carolina | 14.1 |
| 35 | Louisiana | 14.1 |
| 36 | Florida | 13.9 |
| 37 | Michigan | 13.7 |
| 38 | Minnesota | 13.7 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 6 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Alaska | 24.4 |
| 4 | Alabama | 23.7 |
| 5 | Wyoming | 23.4 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 22.9 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 20.6 |
| 8 | Montana | 20.2 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 19.8 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Louisiana ranks 24 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Colorado | 7.9% |
| 22 | New Jersey | 7.7% |
| 23 | Missouri | 7.7% |
| 24 | Louisiana | 7.7% |
| 25 | Indiana | 7.5% |
| 26 | Nebraska | 7.1% |
| 27 | Illinois | 6.9% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Louisiana ranks 35 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Maine | 4.5% |
| 33 | Alabama | 4.3% |
| 34 | Wisconsin | 4.2% |
| 35 | Louisiana | 4.1% |
| 36 | Washington | 3.9% |
| 37 | Iowa | 3.8% |
| 38 | Minnesota | 3.7% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Louisiana ranks 21 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Indiana | 1,358,600 |
| 19 | Oregon | 1,264,858 |
| 20 | Kentucky | 1,264,449 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 1,264,327 |
| 22 | Missouri | 1,243,023 |
| 23 | Colorado | 1,188,599 |
| 24 | Minnesota | 1,128,624 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Louisiana ranks 50 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Idaho | -33.3% |
| 46 | Indiana | -33.7% |
| 47 | New Hampshire | -33.8% |
| 48 | Texas | -33.9% |
| 49 | Utah | -33.9% |
| 50 | Louisiana | -34.0% |
| 51 | Montana | -37.7% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Louisiana ranks 3 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 41.4% |
| 2 | Mississippi | 40.4% |
| 3 | Louisiana | 39.2% |
| 4 | Alabama | 38.9% |
| 5 | Arkansas | 38.9% |
| 6 | Indiana | 38.4% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 37.6% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Louisiana ranks 4 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 20.8% |
| 2 | Kentucky | 17.2% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 16.5% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 15.0% |
| 5 | Alaska | 14.7% |
| 6 | Missouri | 14.7% |
| 7 | Maine | 14.4% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Louisiana ranks 3 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 18.4% |
| 2 | Kentucky | 16.2% |
| 3 | Louisiana | 15.4% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 15.3% |
| 5 | Mississippi | 15.2% |
| 6 | Alabama | 15.1% |
| 7 | Indiana | 14.2% |
More on Louisiana: 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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