Health in Missouri, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Missouri was 75.2 years in 2022, 11th 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 Missouri?
Women in Missouri could expect to live 78.1 years and men 72.5 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.6 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Missouri going up?
Life expectancy in Missouri was 74.6 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.6 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 Missouri?
A 65-year-old in Missouri could expect to live another 17.8 years in 2022 (19.0 for women, 16.5 for men); 10th 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 Missouri?
438 babies died before their first birthday in Missouri in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 6.44 per 1,000 live births; 13th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.14 (443 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Missouri?
1,461 people died of drug overdoses in Missouri in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 23.7 per 100,000 people; 26th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 33.5 in 2023 (1,986 deaths) and 26.9 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Missouri?
CDC provisional data count about 1,205 drug overdose deaths in Missouri in the 12 months to May 2026, down 8.4% on the 12 months to May 2025 (1,316); 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 Missouri involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 605 of the 1,205 reported overdose deaths in Missouri in the 12 months to May 2026 (50%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 489 (41%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Missouri?
Heart disease killed 15,406 people in Missouri in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 187.5 per 100,000; 10th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 187.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Missouri?
Cancer caused 13,465 deaths in Missouri in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 159.7 per 100,000; 7th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 159.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Missouri?
1,152 people in Missouri died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 17.8 per 100,000; 18th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 18.2 (1,141 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Missouri?
Firearms were involved in 1,234 deaths in Missouri in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 19.6 per 100,000, 11th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 20.6).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Missouri have no health insurance?
7.7% of people in Missouri, about 475,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.2 percentage points on 2023 (7.5%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Missouri are uninsured?
6.6% of children under 19 in Missouri were uninsured in 2024, against 10.5% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Missouri are on Medicaid?
12.4% of residents of Missouri were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 47.6% 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 Missouri?
1,243,023 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Missouri in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 0.8% on June 2025 (1,252,768); 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 Missouri changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Missouri had 1,504,092 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 17.4% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Missouri?
Children made up 565,533 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Missouri in June 2026 (45%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 677,490. Missouri 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 Missouri?
34.6% of adults in Missouri had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 20th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 32.4%; 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 Missouri?
14.7% of adults in Missouri smoked cigarettes in 2024 (6th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 22.3% in 2015. 8.2% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Missouri?
11.2% of adults in Missouri had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 20.1% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 16th 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 Missouri cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 24.6% of adults in Missouri said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 11.3% 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 Missouri?
16.2% of adults in Missouri reported binge drinking in 2024, and 23.0% 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 Missouri compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Missouri ranks 41 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Alaska | 75.8 years |
| 39 | Ohio | 75.6 years |
| 40 | Indiana | 75.4 years |
| 41 | Missouri | 75.2 years |
| 42 | South Carolina | 75.1 years |
| 43 | New Mexico | 74.5 years |
| 44 | Arkansas | 73.9 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Missouri ranks 42 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Georgia | 17.9 years |
| 40 | Nevada | 17.9 years |
| 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 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Missouri ranks 13 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Ohio | 6.65 |
| 11 | West Virginia | 6.64 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 6.54 |
| 13 | Missouri | 6.44 |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6.41 |
| 15 | Georgia | 6.40 |
| 16 | Michigan | 6.33 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Missouri ranks 26 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 25.6 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 25.5 |
| 25 | Alabama | 25.0 |
| 26 | Missouri | 23.7 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | 21.8 |
| 28 | California | 21.7 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | 21.6 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Missouri ranks 21 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Maryland | 1,295 |
| 19 | Indiana | 1,226 |
| 20 | Virginia | 1,212 |
| 21 | Missouri | 1,205 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 1,198 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 1,160 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 1,128 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Missouri ranks 10 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | West Virginia | 205.3 |
| 8 | Kentucky | 196.9 |
| 9 | Michigan | 194.7 |
| 10 | Missouri | 187.5 |
| 11 | Ohio | 183.7 |
| 12 | Nevada | 179.8 |
| 13 | Indiana | 179.6 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Missouri ranks 7 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mississippi | 167.8 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 165.1 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 161.7 |
| 7 | Missouri | 159.7 |
| 8 | Louisiana | 158.3 |
| 9 | Indiana | 156.4 |
| 10 | Ohio | 154.9 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Missouri ranks 18 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Arizona | 18.9 |
| 16 | Kentucky | 17.9 |
| 17 | Kansas | 17.9 |
| 18 | Missouri | 17.8 |
| 19 | Iowa | 17.1 |
| 20 | Indiana | 16.8 |
| 21 | Tennessee | 16.4 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Missouri ranks 11 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Montana | 20.2 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 19.8 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 19.7 |
| 11 | Missouri | 19.6 |
| 12 | South Carolina | 19.5 |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 19.1 |
| 14 | Kentucky | 18.5 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Missouri ranks 23 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | South Dakota | 8.1% |
| 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% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Missouri ranks 15 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Montana | 7.7% |
| 13 | Kansas | 7.0% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 6.7% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6.6% |
| 16 | Utah | 6.6% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6.5% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6.1% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Missouri ranks 22 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 1,107,383 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Missouri ranks 9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | New York | -15.1% |
| 7 | Hawaii | -15.8% |
| 8 | Nebraska | -16.8% |
| 9 | Missouri | -17.4% |
| 10 | California | -18.4% |
| 11 | Washington | -18.8% |
| 12 | Maryland | -18.9% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Missouri ranks 20 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Michigan | 36.1% |
| 18 | Texas | 35.6% |
| 19 | Georgia | 35.4% |
| 20 | Missouri | 34.6% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 34.6% |
| 22 | New Mexico | 34.5% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 34.5% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Missouri ranks 6 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Arkansas | 16.5% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 15.0% |
| 5 | Alaska | 14.7% |
| 6 | Missouri | 14.7% |
| 7 | Maine | 14.4% |
| 8 | Ohio | 14.1% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 14.1% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Missouri ranks 35 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 38 | Nebraska | 10.5% |
More on Missouri: 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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