Health in Wisconsin, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Wisconsin was 78.1 years in 2022, 16th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

78.1 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

5.91

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

19.8

2024

Suicides per 100,000

14.8

2024

People without health insurance

5.3%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

1,107,383

June 2026

Adults with obesity

37.4%

2024

How long do men and women live in Wisconsin?

Women in Wisconsin could expect to live 80.7 years and men 75.7 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.0 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).

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

Is life expectancy in Wisconsin going up?

Life expectancy in Wisconsin was 77.8 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.3 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 Wisconsin?

A 65-year-old in Wisconsin could expect to live another 19.1 years in 2022 (20.3 for women, 17.8 for men); 17th longest 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 Wisconsin?

353 babies died before their first birthday in Wisconsin in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.91 per 1,000 live births; 23rd highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.86 (371 deaths).

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

How many people die of drug overdoses in Wisconsin?

1,175 people died of drug overdoses in Wisconsin in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 19.8 per 100,000 people; 16th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 30.6 in 2023 (1,767 deaths) and 21.1 in 2019.

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

Are overdose deaths falling in Wisconsin?

CDC provisional data count about 997 drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin in the 12 months to May 2026, up 1.9% on the 12 months to May 2025 (978); 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 Wisconsin involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 504 of the 943 reported overdose deaths in Wisconsin in the 12 months to May 2026 (53%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 207 (22%). 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 Wisconsin?

Heart disease killed 12,793 people in Wisconsin in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 160.1 per 100,000; 23rd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 158.8).

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

What is the cancer death rate in Wisconsin?

Cancer caused 11,932 deaths in Wisconsin in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 143.9 per 100,000; joint 24th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 149.6).

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

What is the suicide rate in Wisconsin?

920 people in Wisconsin died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.8 per 100,000; 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 14.0 (845 deaths).

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

How many gun deaths are there in Wisconsin?

Firearms were involved in 735 deaths in Wisconsin in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 12.1 per 100,000, 19th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 10.0).

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

How many people in Wisconsin have no health insurance?

5.3% of people in Wisconsin, about 311,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 11th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.4 percentage points on 2023 (4.9%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Wisconsin are uninsured?

4.2% of children under 19 in Wisconsin were uninsured in 2024, against 7.3% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Wisconsin are on Medicaid?

11.5% of residents of Wisconsin were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 51.0% 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 Wisconsin?

1,107,383 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Wisconsin in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 2.6% on June 2025 (1,137,320); 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 Wisconsin changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Wisconsin had 1,443,310 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 copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Wisconsin?

Children made up 528,142 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Wisconsin in June 2026 (48%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 579,241. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?

37.4% of adults in Wisconsin had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 9th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 30.7%; 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 Wisconsin?

11.9% of adults in Wisconsin smoked cigarettes in 2024 (23rd highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 17.3% in 2015. 8.3% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Wisconsin?

11.9% of adults in Wisconsin had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 19.1% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 24th lowest 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 Wisconsin cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 21.7% of adults in Wisconsin said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 10.1% 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 copy

How common is depression in Wisconsin?

19.1% of adults in Wisconsin reported binge drinking in 2024, and 24.1% 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 Wisconsin compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Wisconsin ranks 16 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
13	Idaho	78.4 years
14	Nebraska	78.3 years
15	Vermont	78.3 years
16	Wisconsin	78.1 years
17	Florida	77.9 years
18	Iowa	77.9 years
19	North Dakota	77.9 years

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

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Wisconsin ranks 15 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
12	Rhode Island	19.4 years
13	South Dakota	19.4 years
14	Washington	19.1 years
15	Wisconsin	19.1 years
16	New Hampshire	19.1 years
17	Montana	19.1 years
18	Maryland	19.0 years

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

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Wisconsin ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
20	District of Columbia	6.04
21	Virginia	5.95
22	North Dakota	5.92
23	Wisconsin	5.91
24	Kentucky	5.88
25	Kansas	5.86
26	Florida	5.74

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

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

Wisconsin ranks 36 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
33	Utah	20.3
34	New Jersey	20.2
35	Wyoming	20.1
36	Wisconsin	19.8
37	Kansas	19.7
38	Illinois	19.3
39	Michigan	19.1

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

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

Wisconsin ranks 26 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
23	Louisiana	1,160
24	New Mexico	1,128
25	Kentucky	1,034
26	Wisconsin	997
27	Minnesota	981
28	Oregon	848
29	Connecticut	787

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

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

Wisconsin ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
20	North Dakota	161.1
21	Kansas	160.9
22	Utah	160.5
23	Wisconsin	160.1
24	Vermont	157.6
25	Maine	156.4
26	Wyoming	156.2

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

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

Wisconsin ranks 24 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
21	South Dakota	145.5
22	Georgia	144.7
23	Vermont	144.1
24	Wisconsin	143.9
25	Nebraska	143.9
26	Oregon	142.3
27	Illinois	140.9

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

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

Wisconsin ranks 29 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
26	Ohio	15.2
27	Mississippi	15.1
28	Nebraska	14.9
29	Wisconsin	14.8
30	Vermont	14.7
31	Washington	14.5
32	Georgia	14.3

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

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

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

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
30	Florida	12.7
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

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

People without health insurance (2024)

Wisconsin ranks 41 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
38	West Virginia	5.8%
39	Maine	5.5%
40	Iowa	5.4%
41	Wisconsin	5.3%
42	Oregon	5.2%
43	Michigan	5.1%
44	Minnesota	5.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Wisconsin ranks 34 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
31	Maryland	4.6%
32	Maine	4.5%
33	Alabama	4.3%
34	Wisconsin	4.2%
35	Louisiana	4.1%
36	Washington	3.9%
37	Iowa	3.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Wisconsin ranks 25 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
22	Missouri	1,243,023
23	Colorado	1,188,599
24	Minnesota	1,128,624
25	Wisconsin	1,107,383
26	Oklahoma	992,735
27	South Carolina	958,052
28	Alabama	930,919

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Wisconsin ranks 26 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
23	Kansas	-22.9%
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%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Wisconsin ranks 9 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
6	Indiana	38.4%
7	Nebraska	37.6%
8	Kansas	37.6%
9	Wisconsin	37.4%
10	Kentucky	37.2%
11	South Dakota	37.0%
12	Ohio	36.9%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Wisconsin ranks 23 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
20	Montana	12.2%
21	Nebraska	12.2%
22	New Mexico	12.0%
23	Wisconsin	11.9%
24	Nevada	11.9%
25	Pennsylvania	11.7%
26	North Carolina	11.5%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Wisconsin ranks 27 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
24	New Mexico	12.3%
25	Oregon	12.0%
26	Florida	11.9%
27	Wisconsin	11.9%
28	South Dakota	11.8%
29	Connecticut	11.7%
30	Rhode Island	11.6%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

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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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