Health in West Virginia, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in West Virginia was 72.2 years in 2022, the 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 West Virginia?
Women in West Virginia could expect to live 75.1 years and men 69.5 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 West Virginia going up?
Life expectancy in West Virginia was 71.0 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.2 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 West Virginia?
A 65-year-old in West Virginia could expect to live another 16.6 years in 2022 (17.7 for women, 15.4 for men); the 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 West Virginia?
113 babies died before their first birthday in West Virginia in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 6.64 per 1,000 live births; 11th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.12 (111 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in West Virginia?
821 people died of drug overdoses in West Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 48.9 per 100,000 people; the highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 81.9 in 2023 (1,377 deaths) and 52.8 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in West Virginia?
CDC provisional data count about 663 drug overdose deaths in West Virginia in the 12 months to May 2026, down 8.7% on the 12 months to May 2025 (726); 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 West Virginia involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 421 of the 639 reported overdose deaths in West Virginia in the 12 months to May 2026 (66%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 324 (51%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in West Virginia?
Heart disease killed 5,364 people in West Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 205.3 per 100,000; 7th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 197.4).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in West Virginia?
Cancer caused 4,758 deaths in West Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 175.1 per 100,000; 2nd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 175.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in West Virginia?
303 people in West Virginia died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 16.4 per 100,000; joint 21st highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 18.5 (330 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in West Virginia?
Firearms were involved in 281 deaths in West Virginia in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 15.3 per 100,000, joint 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 16.6).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in West Virginia have no health insurance?
5.8% of people in West Virginia, about 101,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 16th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is down 0.1 percentage points on 2023 (5.9%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in West Virginia are uninsured?
2.8% of children under 19 in West Virginia were uninsured in 2024, against 9.0% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in West Virginia are on Medicaid?
18.3% of residents of West Virginia were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 41.4% 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 West Virginia?
485,007 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in West Virginia in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 3.3% on June 2025 (501,577); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million. The state's count includes individuals enrolled at any time in month (not a point-in-time count).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in West Virginia changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, West Virginia had 660,735 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 26.6% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in West Virginia?
Children made up 191,731 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in West Virginia in June 2026 (40%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 293,276. West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
41.4% of adults in West Virginia had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; the highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 35.6%; 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 West Virginia?
20.8% of adults in West Virginia smoked cigarettes in 2024 (the highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 25.7% in 2015. 10.5% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in West Virginia?
18.4% of adults in West Virginia had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 26.3% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is the 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 West Virginia cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 28.7% of adults in West Virginia said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 13.1% 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 West Virginia?
13.3% of adults in West Virginia reported binge drinking in 2024, and 30.2% 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 West Virginia compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 51 | West Virginia | 72.2 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Tennessee | 17.2 years |
| 46 | Alabama | 17.1 years |
| 47 | Arkansas | 17.0 years |
| 48 | Kentucky | 16.8 years |
| 49 | Oklahoma | 16.8 years |
| 50 | Mississippi | 16.7 years |
| 51 | West Virginia | 16.6 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
West Virginia ranks 11 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Alabama | 7.06 |
| 9 | Alaska | 6.82 |
| 10 | Ohio | 6.65 |
| 11 | West Virginia | 6.64 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 6.54 |
| 13 | Missouri | 6.44 |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6.41 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 1 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 48.9 |
| 2 | Alaska | 45.1 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 43.2 |
| 4 | Washington | 37.6 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 37.1 |
| 6 | Nevada | 35.9 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 35.2 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
West Virginia ranks 32 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Connecticut | 787 |
| 30 | Alabama | 783 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | 781 |
| 32 | West Virginia | 663 |
| 33 | Utah | 646 |
| 34 | Kansas | 462 |
| 35 | Mississippi | 416 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 7 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Louisiana | 220.0 |
| 5 | Arkansas | 217.1 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 210.0 |
| 7 | West Virginia | 205.3 |
| 8 | Kentucky | 196.9 |
| 9 | Michigan | 194.7 |
| 10 | Missouri | 187.5 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 2 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | 175.6 |
| 2 | West Virginia | 175.1 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 172.4 |
| 4 | Mississippi | 167.8 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 165.1 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 161.7 |
| 7 | Missouri | 159.7 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 22 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Iowa | 17.1 |
| 20 | Indiana | 16.8 |
| 21 | Tennessee | 16.4 |
| 22 | West Virginia | 16.4 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | 16.4 |
| 24 | South Carolina | 16.0 |
| 25 | Alabama | 15.9 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | North Carolina | 16.3 |
| 21 | Idaho | 15.9 |
| 22 | Colorado | 15.3 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 15.3 |
| 24 | Kansas | 15.2 |
| 25 | Ohio | 14.6 |
| 26 | Oregon | 14.2 |
People without health insurance (2024)
West Virginia ranks 38 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | California | 5.9% |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | 5.8% |
| 37 | Connecticut | 5.8% |
| 38 | West Virginia | 5.8% |
| 39 | Maine | 5.5% |
| 40 | Iowa | 5.4% |
| 41 | Wisconsin | 5.3% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
West Virginia ranks 44 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Michigan | 3.5% |
| 42 | California | 3.1% |
| 43 | Hawaii | 2.9% |
| 44 | West Virginia | 2.8% |
| 45 | New York | 2.7% |
| 46 | Oregon | 2.7% |
| 47 | District of Columbia | 2.7% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
West Virginia ranks 35 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Iowa | 674,521 |
| 33 | New Mexico | 673,265 |
| 34 | Mississippi | 584,125 |
| 35 | West Virginia | 485,007 |
| 36 | Kansas | 393,912 |
| 37 | Hawaii | 391,710 |
| 38 | Nebraska | 330,435 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
West Virginia ranks 36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Vermont | -25.0% |
| 34 | Oklahoma | -25.2% |
| 35 | Mississippi | -25.8% |
| 36 | West Virginia | -26.6% |
| 37 | Georgia | -27.6% |
| 38 | South Carolina | -27.6% |
| 39 | Arkansas | -28.9% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 1 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)
West Virginia ranks 1 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)
West Virginia ranks 1 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 West Virginia: 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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