📊 Overall Health Rankings

According to America’s Health Rankings 2024, Alabama ranks 45th in health outcomes among U.S. states, indicating significant health challenges across multiple measures. This places Alabama among the bottom tier of states for overall population health.

Alabama’s 2025 population has grown to approximately 5.3 million residents, but the state continues to face substantial mortality challenges with life expectancy of 73.2 years – nearly 4 years below the national average.

💔 Cardiovascular Health Crisis

Alabama faces a severe cardiovascular health crisis, ranking 4th highest nationally for heart disease deaths at 247.5 per 100,000 residents – a rate 42% higher than the national average. The state also ranks 2nd highest for stroke deaths, reflecting widespread vascular health challenges.

These outcomes are closely linked to Alabama’s high rates of obesity (39.2% of adults), smoking (14.2% of adults – 13th highest nationally), and physical inactivity, creating a cascade of cardiovascular risk factors.

👶 Maternal and Infant Health Concerns

Alabama’s infant mortality rate increased to 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 – well above the national rate of 5.6. Stark racial disparities persist, with Black infant mortality rates (13.0 per 1,000) more than double the rate for white infants (5.7 per 1,000).

Contributing factors include limited access to prenatal care, especially in rural areas, high rates of preterm birth (12.84%), and socioeconomic challenges affecting 45% of births covered by Medicaid.

🔫 Violence and Safety Issues

Alabama ranks 3rd highest nationally for homicide deaths at 12.2 per 100,000 residents, with firearm fatalities at 22.2 per 100,000 (5th highest nationally). This reflects broader community safety and violence prevention challenges affecting mortality rates.

The state also ranks high for septicemia deaths (3rd highest nationally), suggesting healthcare access and infection control challenges in clinical settings.

📚 Educational Progress

Alabama shows strength in education with an 88.2% high school graduation rate, ranking 13th highest nationally. Higher education levels are associated with better health outcomes and lifestyle choices, providing a foundation for future health improvements.

💊 Life Insurance Considerations

Given Alabama’s significant health challenges and high mortality rates, we at IBUSA typically recommend that Alabama residents first explore no-exam life insurance options for faster approval and higher approval rates.

For those with pre-existing conditions related to heart disease, stroke, or other chronic conditions common in Alabama, final expense insurance policies may be the most accessible coverage option.

Given the state’s high homicide and accidental death rates, Alabama residents may also benefit from accidental death policies to supplement traditional life insurance coverage.

🏥 Targeted Health Programs

Alabama has launched several initiatives to address its health challenges:

• Expanded prenatal care access through telehealth in rural counties
• Cribs for Kids program – provided 2,500 cribs to prevent sleep-related infant deaths
• Well Woman Program expanded to 12 counties for preconception and postconception care
• Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program in major hospitals
• ALL Babies program for statewide pregnancy coverage

🦠 COVID-19 Impact

Alabama experienced significant COVID-19 mortality during 2020-2022, ranking 9th highest for COVID-19 deaths in 2020. While COVID-19 has declined as a leading cause of death by 2024, the pandemic exacerbated existing health disparities and highlighted healthcare access challenges.

Economic Growth and Challenges

Alabama’s economy shows positive signs with 2.9% GDP growth in Q1 2024 and job creation of 43,200 positions from August 2023 to August 2024. However, unemployment ticked up from 2.5% to 2.8%, and healthcare spending per capita ($10,843) ranks 39th nationally.

The state’s health challenges are compounded by socioeconomic factors, with nearly half of births covered by Medicaid and persistent rural healthcare access issues affecting mortality outcomes.

Alabama continues to face substantial challenges across multiple health measures:

• High rates of chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
• Significant health disparities by race and geography
• Rural healthcare access limitations
• High tobacco use rates contributing to respiratory deaths
• Violence and safety concerns affecting mortality

Addressing these interconnected challenges requires comprehensive approaches involving healthcare access, education, economic development, and community safety initiatives.

Data Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2022-2024

America’s Health Rankings, United Health Foundation, 2024 Annual Report

Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, 2023-2024

March of Dimes, 2024 Report Card for Alabama

USAFacts Health and Mortality Data for Alabama, 2023

Commonwealth Fund State Health System Performance Rankings, 2025

North American Community Hub Population and Health Statistics, 2024

Alabama Department of Commerce Economic Data, 2024

Healthiest States Index, Ozmosi Research, 2024