Health in Pennsylvania, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Pennsylvania was 77.3 years in 2022, 24th 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 Pennsylvania?
Women in Pennsylvania could expect to live 79.9 years and men 74.7 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.2 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Pennsylvania going up?
Life expectancy in Pennsylvania was 76.4 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.9 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 Pennsylvania?
A 65-year-old in Pennsylvania could expect to live another 18.7 years in 2022 (19.9 for women, 17.2 for men); 22nd 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 Pennsylvania?
723 babies died before their first birthday in Pennsylvania in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.68 per 1,000 live births; 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.93 (796 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Pennsylvania?
3,341 people died of drug overdoses in Pennsylvania in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 25.6 per 100,000 people; 23rd highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 37.1 in 2023 (4,757 deaths) and 35.6 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Pennsylvania?
CDC provisional data count about 2,620 drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in the 12 months to May 2026, down 17.8% on the 12 months to May 2025 (3,189); 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 Pennsylvania involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 1,346 of the 2,554 reported overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in the 12 months to May 2026 (53%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 517 (20%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Pennsylvania?
Heart disease killed 30,768 people in Pennsylvania in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 162.4 per 100,000; 19th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 172.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Pennsylvania?
Cancer caused 27,810 deaths in Pennsylvania in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 145.7 per 100,000; 20th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 153.5).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Pennsylvania?
1,845 people in Pennsylvania died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 13.3 per 100,000; 12th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 14.1 (1,896 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Pennsylvania?
Firearms were involved in 1,624 deaths in Pennsylvania in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 11.9 per 100,000, joint 18th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 11.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Pennsylvania have no health insurance?
5.8% of people in Pennsylvania, about 753,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 16th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.4 percentage points on 2023 (5.4%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Pennsylvania are uninsured?
5.4% of children under 19 in Pennsylvania were uninsured in 2024, against 7.8% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Pennsylvania are on Medicaid?
13.6% of residents of Pennsylvania were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 47.8% 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 Pennsylvania?
2,952,912 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Pennsylvania in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 3.3% on June 2025 (3,053,056); 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 Pennsylvania changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Pennsylvania had 3,730,393 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 20.8% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Pennsylvania?
Children made up 1,387,957 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Pennsylvania in June 2026 (47%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 1,564,955. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
34.2% of adults in Pennsylvania had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 25th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 30.0%; 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 Pennsylvania?
11.7% of adults in Pennsylvania smoked cigarettes in 2024 (25th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 18.1% in 2015. 7.6% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Pennsylvania?
13.3% of adults in Pennsylvania had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 20.0% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 12th 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 Pennsylvania cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 22.7% of adults in Pennsylvania said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 9.8% 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 Pennsylvania?
16.4% of adults in Pennsylvania reported binge drinking in 2024, and 22.0% 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 Pennsylvania compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Pennsylvania ranks 24 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Oregon | 77.7 years |
| 22 | Illinois | 77.5 years |
| 23 | Virginia | 77.5 years |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 77.3 years |
| 25 | Montana | 77.3 years |
| 26 | South Dakota | 77.3 years |
| 27 | Texas | 77.1 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Pennsylvania ranks 25 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Arizona | 18.8 years |
| 23 | Oregon | 18.8 years |
| 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 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 29 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Florida | 5.74 |
| 27 | Illinois | 5.73 |
| 28 | Texas | 5.70 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | 5.68 |
| 30 | Vermont | 5.57 |
| 31 | Maryland | 5.53 |
| 32 | Arizona | 5.40 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | North Carolina | 25.7 |
| 21 | Indiana | 25.7 |
| 22 | Colorado | 25.7 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 25.6 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 25.5 |
| 25 | Alabama | 25.0 |
| 26 | Missouri | 23.7 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Pennsylvania ranks 6 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Florida | 4,001 |
| 4 | New York | 3,652 |
| 5 | Arizona | 2,822 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2,620 |
| 7 | Washington | 2,528 |
| 8 | Ohio | 2,319 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2,139 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 19 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Iowa | 169.9 |
| 17 | Montana | 164.8 |
| 18 | Texas | 163.1 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 162.4 |
| 20 | North Dakota | 161.1 |
| 21 | Kansas | 160.9 |
| 22 | Utah | 160.5 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 20 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Maine | 149.2 |
| 18 | Alaska | 149.1 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 148.8 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 145.7 |
| 21 | South Dakota | 145.5 |
| 22 | Georgia | 144.7 |
| 23 | Vermont | 144.1 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 40 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Michigan | 13.7 |
| 38 | Minnesota | 13.7 |
| 39 | Hawaii | 13.7 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | 13.3 |
| 41 | Virginia | 12.9 |
| 42 | Delaware | 11.8 |
| 43 | Illinois | 10.8 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 34 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Illinois | 12.4 |
| 32 | North Dakota | 12.2 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | 12.1 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | 11.9 |
| 35 | Michigan | 11.9 |
| 36 | Maine | 11.9 |
| 37 | Iowa | 11.8 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 36 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 39 | Maine | 5.5% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 26 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Delaware | 5.8% |
| 24 | Ohio | 5.6% |
| 25 | North Carolina | 5.5% |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | 5.4% |
| 27 | Nebraska | 5.3% |
| 28 | Virginia | 5.2% |
| 29 | Kentucky | 5.0% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Pennsylvania ranks 5 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Ohio | 2,597,852 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Pennsylvania ranks 17 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Virginia | -19.8% |
| 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% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 25 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | New Mexico | 34.5% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 34.5% |
| 24 | Nevada | 34.2% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 34.2% |
| 26 | Illinois | 34.2% |
| 27 | Alaska | 34.0% |
| 28 | Oregon | 33.6% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 25 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | New Mexico | 12.0% |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 11.9% |
| 24 | Nevada | 11.9% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 11.7% |
| 26 | North Carolina | 11.5% |
| 27 | Georgia | 11.2% |
| 28 | Virginia | 11.1% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 12 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Michigan | 13.6% |
| 10 | Nevada | 13.6% |
| 11 | Texas | 13.5% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 13.3% |
| 13 | Delaware | 13.2% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 13.2% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 13.2% |
More on Pennsylvania: 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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