📊 Challenging Health Profile

Indiana faces significant health challenges with the 10th highest age-adjusted mortality rate nationally and an overall mortality rate of 981.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (15th highest). The state’s life expectancy of 76.8 years ties with Ohio for the 11th lowest in the nation.

With 6.73 million residents (17th highest population), Indiana demonstrates concerning patterns across multiple health categories. The state ranks particularly poorly for chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, and heart disease mortality – issues closely linked to environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

🫁 Severe Air Quality and Smoking Impact

Indiana faces a perfect storm of respiratory health challenges:

• Chronic Respiratory Disease Deaths: 6th highest nationally (56.1 per 100,000)
• Air Quality: 5th worst in the nation
• Adult Smoking Rate: 4th highest nationally (behind West Virginia, Kentucky, and Arkansas)

This combination of poor environmental air quality and high smoking rates creates a devastating impact on respiratory health, contributing to Indiana’s elevated mortality rates across multiple categories.

💀 Multiple High-Risk Categories

Indiana ranks in the top tier nationally for several serious health conditions:

• Cancer Deaths: 9th highest at 163.4 per 100,000
• Heart Disease Deaths: 13th highest at 178.8 per 100,000
• Stroke Deaths: 12th highest at 41.4 per 100,000
• Diabetes Deaths: 12th highest at 25.0 per 100,000
• Kidney Disease: 6th highest at 17.1 per 100,000
• Septicemia: 6th highest at 14.3 per 100,000

🔫 Urban Violence Challenges

Indiana faces notable challenges with violent crime, particularly in urban areas:

• Homicide Rate: 17th highest nationally at 7.2 per 100,000
• Urban Hotspots: Indianapolis (23rd highest murder rate among U.S. cities) and South Bend (47th highest)
• Firearm Deaths: 20th highest for all firearm-related deaths

However, the state performs better on suicide prevention, ranking 15th lowest nationally for suicide deaths.

👩 Concerning Female Life Expectancy

Indiana shows particularly concerning statistics for women’s health outcomes. The state has the 9th lowest average life expectancy for females at 79.3 years, tying with Ohio, Missouri, and South Carolina.

This low female life expectancy suggests systemic health challenges that disproportionately affect women, potentially related to access to healthcare, lifestyle factors, or environmental conditions unique to the state.

🦠 Severe COVID-19 Impact

Indiana experienced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• 2020 Death Rate: 14th highest nationally at 100.4 per 100,000
• Through August 2021: 15th highest mortality rate at 213 per 100,000

The state’s elevated COVID-19 mortality rates may be related to underlying health conditions prevalent in the population, including high rates of respiratory disease, diabetes, and heart disease.

🏠 Excellent Housing Conditions

Despite health challenges, Indiana excels in housing quality:

• Crowded Housing: 2nd lowest rate nationally (behind West Virginia)
• Severe Housing Problems: 7th lowest rate nationally

According to the United Health Foundation, good housing conditions help prevent disease spread, support better health outcomes, and reduce psychological distress – representing one area where Indiana provides a solid foundation for health.

💡 Life Insurance Considerations

Given Indiana’s elevated health risks across multiple categories, we at IBUSA typically try to help Indiana applicants first qualify for no medical exam term life insurance when possible.

For those that won’t be able to qualify for such policies, fully underwritten life insurance policies and guaranteed issue life insurance policies may still be options.

Given the state’s multiple health challenges, it’s particularly important for Indiana residents to secure life insurance coverage while in good health, as rates may be higher for those with existing conditions prevalent in the state.

Population Characteristics

Indiana’s demographic profile shows some positive indicators despite health challenges:

• Median Age: 38 years (15th youngest nationally)
• Fertility Rate: 61.7 births per 1,000 women (16th highest)
• Population Density: 188.56 per square mile (15th most dense)
• Housing Quality: Among the best nationally for affordability and quality

The relatively young population and higher fertility rates suggest economic opportunity and family-friendly conditions, though these positives are offset by the state’s significant health challenges.

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2019)

Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States Including District of Columbia (2020)

StatsAmerica (Indiana Business Research Center), Median Age in 2019

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, State & Territorial Data (2018-2019)

Kaiser Family Foundation, Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population (2019)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018)

CDC, Division of Vital Statistics, National Vital Statistics Report (2018)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021)

Fieldstadt, Elisha. “Murder Map: Deadliest U.S. Cities” (CBSNews.com, April 19, 2021)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Death Rates for COVID-19 (2020)

New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (Aug. 26, 2021)

CDC, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, Map of Current Cigarette Use Among Adults (2018)

United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report: Indiana