Health in Rhode Island, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Rhode Island was 79.2 years in 2022, 8th 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 Rhode Island?
Women in Rhode Island could expect to live 81.8 years and men 76.6 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 Rhode Island going up?
Life expectancy in Rhode Island was 78.5 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.7 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 Rhode Island?
A 65-year-old in Rhode Island could expect to live another 19.4 years in 2022 (20.6 for women, 18.0 for men); 12th longest 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 Rhode Island?
42 babies died before their first birthday in Rhode Island in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 4.20 per 1,000 live births; 6th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.90 (60 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Rhode Island?
323 people died of drug overdoses in Rhode Island in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 28.0 per 100,000 people; 15th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 37.5 in 2023 (413 deaths) and 29.5 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Rhode Island?
CDC provisional data count about 186 drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island in the 12 months to May 2026, down 33.8% on the 12 months to May 2025 (281); 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 Rhode Island involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 97 of the 180 reported overdose deaths in Rhode Island in the 12 months to May 2026 (54%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 19 (11%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Rhode Island?
Heart disease killed 2,317 people in Rhode Island in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 146.5 per 100,000; 17th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 159.3).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Rhode Island?
Cancer caused 2,067 deaths in Rhode Island in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 129.9 per 100,000; 11th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 153.6).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Rhode Island?
105 people in Rhode Island died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 8.9 per 100,000; 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 10.7 (123 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Rhode Island?
Firearms were involved in 55 deaths in Rhode Island in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 4.6 per 100,000, 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 4.6).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Rhode Island have no health insurance?
4.6% of people in Rhode Island, about 51,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 6th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.1 percentage points on 2023 (4.5%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Rhode Island are uninsured?
3.7% of children under 19 in Rhode Island were uninsured in 2024, against 6.3% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Rhode Island are on Medicaid?
15.7% of residents of Rhode Island were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 46.2% 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 Rhode Island?
283,863 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Rhode Island in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 9.5% on June 2025 (313,733); 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 Rhode Island changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Rhode Island had 370,167 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 23.3% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Rhode Island?
Children made up 110,300 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Rhode Island in June 2026 (39%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 173,563. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
31.1% of adults in Rhode Island had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 13th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 26.0%; 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 Rhode Island?
9.9% of adults in Rhode Island smoked cigarettes in 2024 (13th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 15.5% in 2015. 7.0% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Rhode Island?
11.6% of adults in Rhode Island had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 17.3% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 21st 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 Rhode Island cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 22.9% of adults in Rhode Island said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 10.0% 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 copyHow common is depression in Rhode Island?
16.9% of adults in Rhode Island reported binge drinking in 2024, and 24.9% 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 Rhode Island compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Rhode Island ranks 8 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Connecticut | 79.4 years |
| 6 | California | 79.3 years |
| 7 | Minnesota | 79.3 years |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 79.2 years |
| 9 | Utah | 79.0 years |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 78.7 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 78.5 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Rhode Island ranks 12 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Vermont | 19.5 years |
| 10 | Florida | 19.4 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 19.4 years |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 19.4 years |
| 13 | South Dakota | 19.4 years |
| 14 | Washington | 19.1 years |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 19.1 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 46 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Iowa | 4.50 |
| 44 | Maine | 4.48 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 4.36 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 4.20 |
| 47 | California | 4.18 |
| 48 | New York | 3.95 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 3.49 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 15 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Oregon | 33.5 |
| 13 | Delaware | 33.4 |
| 14 | Arizona | 32.6 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 28.0 |
| 16 | South Carolina | 27.5 |
| 17 | Ohio | 27.2 |
| 18 | Maryland | 26.9 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
Rhode Island ranks 45 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Idaho | 265 |
| 43 | Delaware | 255 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 245 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 186 |
| 46 | Nebraska | 167 |
| 47 | Montana | 165 |
| 48 | Vermont | 155 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 35 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Virginia | 151.7 |
| 33 | Delaware | 151.5 |
| 34 | Idaho | 146.6 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | 146.5 |
| 36 | New York | 145.7 |
| 37 | South Dakota | 144.2 |
| 38 | Maryland | 143.7 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 41 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Florida | 132.7 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | 132.2 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 130.8 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | 129.9 |
| 42 | Arizona | 127.3 |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 127.0 |
| 44 | California | 126.4 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Connecticut | 10.0 |
| 45 | Maryland | 9.7 |
| 46 | California | 9.6 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 8.9 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | 8.3 |
| 49 | New York | 8.1 |
| 50 | New Jersey | 6.7 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Minnesota | 9.8 |
| 45 | California | 7.0 |
| 46 | Connecticut | 5.8 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 4.6 |
| 48 | New York | 4.4 |
| 49 | New Jersey | 4.0 |
| 50 | Massachusetts | 3.8 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 46 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Michigan | 5.1% |
| 44 | Minnesota | 5.1% |
| 45 | New York | 5.0% |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 4.6% |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 4.5% |
| 48 | District of Columbia | 4.5% |
| 49 | Vermont | 4.2% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 39 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Washington | 3.9% |
| 37 | Iowa | 3.8% |
| 38 | Minnesota | 3.7% |
| 39 | Rhode Island | 3.7% |
| 40 | Illinois | 3.6% |
| 41 | Michigan | 3.5% |
| 42 | California | 3.1% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Rhode Island ranks 42 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Maine | 327,698 |
| 40 | Utah | 321,779 |
| 41 | Idaho | 307,060 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 283,863 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | 237,170 |
| 44 | Delaware | 234,783 |
| 45 | Alaska | 206,739 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Rhode Island ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | New Jersey | -23.0% |
| 25 | Tennessee | -23.2% |
| 26 | Wisconsin | -23.3% |
| 27 | Rhode Island | -23.3% |
| 28 | Illinois | -23.4% |
| 29 | Delaware | -23.5% |
| 30 | Ohio | -24.1% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 38 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Virginia | 32.3% |
| 36 | Connecticut | 32.0% |
| 37 | Washington | 31.5% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 31.1% |
| 39 | New Hampshire | 31.1% |
| 40 | Utah | 31.0% |
| 41 | Montana | 31.0% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 38 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Delaware | 10.1% |
| 36 | Texas | 10.0% |
| 37 | New York | 9.9% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 9.9% |
| 39 | Colorado | 9.7% |
| 40 | Idaho | 9.6% |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 9.1% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Rhode Island ranks 30 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Wisconsin | 11.9% |
| 28 | South Dakota | 11.8% |
| 29 | Connecticut | 11.7% |
| 30 | Rhode Island | 11.6% |
| 31 | Arizona | 11.5% |
| 32 | Hawaii | 11.5% |
| 33 | Maine | 11.5% |
More on Rhode Island: 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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