Health in Texas, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Texas was 77.1 years in 2022, 25th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

77.1 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

5.70

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

15.8

2024

Suicides per 100,000

14.2

2024

People without health insurance

16.7%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

3,915,559

June 2026

Adults with obesity

35.6%

2024

How long do men and women live in Texas?

Women in Texas could expect to live 79.8 years and men 74.6 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 copy

Is life expectancy in Texas going up?

Life expectancy in Texas was 75.4 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.7 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 Texas?

A 65-year-old in Texas could expect to live another 18.3 years in 2022 (19.5 for women, 16.9 for men); 17th 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 Texas?

2,226 babies died before their first birthday in Texas in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.70 per 1,000 live births; 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.48 (2,069 deaths).

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

How many people die of drug overdoses in Texas?

4,980 people died of drug overdoses in Texas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 15.8 per 100,000 people; 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 18.5 in 2023 (5,687 deaths) and 10.8 in 2019.

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

Are overdose deaths falling in Texas?

CDC provisional data count about 4,444 drug overdose deaths in Texas in the 12 months to May 2026, down 4.2% on the 12 months to May 2025 (4,640); 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 Texas involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 1,281 of the 4,372 reported overdose deaths in Texas in the 12 months to May 2026 (29%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 1,809 (41%). 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 Texas?

Heart disease killed 50,723 people in Texas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 163.1 per 100,000; 18th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 163.4).

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

What is the cancer death rate in Texas?

Cancer caused 45,055 deaths in Texas in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 137.5 per 100,000; 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 141.4).

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

What is the suicide rate in Texas?

4,490 people in Texas died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.2 per 100,000; 19th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 13.4 (3,891 deaths).

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

How many gun deaths are there in Texas?

Firearms were involved in 4,389 deaths in Texas in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 13.9 per 100,000, 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 12.7).

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

How many people in Texas have no health insurance?

16.7% of people in Texas, about 5,152,000, had no health insurance in 2024; the highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.3 percentage points on 2023 (16.4%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Texas are uninsured?

13.6% of children under 19 in Texas were uninsured in 2024, against 21.6% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Texas are on Medicaid?

10.7% of residents of Texas were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 43.8% 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 Texas?

3,915,559 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Texas in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 6.6% on June 2025 (4,191,556); 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 Texas changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Texas had 5,922,450 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 33.9% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Texas?

Children made up 2,959,753 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Texas in June 2026 (76%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 955,806. Texas 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 Texas?

35.6% of adults in Texas had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 18th 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 copy

How many people smoke in Texas?

10.0% of adults in Texas smoked cigarettes in 2024 (15th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 15.2% in 2015. 7.9% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Texas?

13.5% of adults in Texas had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 21.2% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 11th 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 Texas cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 25.1% of adults in Texas said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 17.4% 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 Texas?

16.4% of adults in Texas reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.7% 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 Texas compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Texas ranks 27 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
24	Pennsylvania	77.3 years
25	Montana	77.3 years
26	South Dakota	77.3 years
27	Texas	77.1 years
28	Michigan	76.8 years
29	Wyoming	76.8 years
30	Arizona	76.7 years

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

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Texas ranks 35 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
32	Virginia	18.5 years
33	Wyoming	18.5 years
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

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

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Texas ranks 28 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
25	Kansas	5.86
26	Florida	5.74
27	Illinois	5.73
28	Texas	5.70
29	Pennsylvania	5.68
30	Vermont	5.57
31	Maryland	5.53

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

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

Texas ranks 45 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
42	Virginia	17.6
43	Minnesota	17.3
44	Idaho	17.3
45	Texas	15.8
46	Montana	15.3
47	North Dakota	14.8
48	Arkansas	13.9

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

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

Texas ranks 2 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
1	California	8,554
2	Texas	4,444
3	Florida	4,001
4	New York	3,652
5	Arizona	2,822
6	Pennsylvania	2,620
7	Washington	2,528

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

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

Texas ranks 18 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
15	South Carolina	175.0
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

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

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

Texas ranks 32 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
29	Washington	139.7
30	Montana	139.3
31	Nevada	138.6
32	Texas	137.5
33	New Hampshire	137.2
34	Maryland	137.0
35	Wyoming	136.2

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

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

Texas ranks 33 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
30	Vermont	14.7
31	Washington	14.5
32	Georgia	14.3
33	Texas	14.2
34	North Carolina	14.1
35	Louisiana	14.1
36	Florida	13.9

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

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

Texas ranks 27 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
24	Kansas	15.2
25	Ohio	14.6
26	Oregon	14.2
27	Texas	13.9
28	Utah	13.3
29	Virginia	12.8
30	Florida	12.7

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

People without health insurance (2024)

Texas ranks 1 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
1	Texas	16.7%
2	Georgia	12.0%
3	Oklahoma	11.5%
4	Nevada	11.4%
5	Alaska	11.0%
6	Florida	10.9%
7	Arizona	10.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Texas ranks 1 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
1	Texas	13.6%
2	Arizona	9.3%
3	Wyoming	9.0%
4	Alaska	8.8%
5	Florida	8.5%
6	Oklahoma	8.5%
7	Idaho	8.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Texas ranks 3 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
1	California	11,659,421
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

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Texas ranks 48 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%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Texas ranks 18 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
15	Iowa	36.6%
16	Delaware	36.6%
17	Michigan	36.1%
18	Texas	35.6%
19	Georgia	35.4%
20	Missouri	34.6%
21	South Carolina	34.6%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Texas ranks 36 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
33	Minnesota	10.2%
34	Arizona	10.2%
35	Delaware	10.1%
36	Texas	10.0%
37	New York	9.9%
38	Rhode Island	9.9%
39	Colorado	9.7%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Texas ranks 11 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
8	South Carolina	13.9%
9	Michigan	13.6%
10	Nevada	13.6%
11	Texas	13.5%
12	Pennsylvania	13.3%
13	Delaware	13.2%
14	Oklahoma	13.2%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

More on Texas: 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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