📊 Generally Solid Health Profile

Iowa demonstrates moderate to good health outcomes with a life expectancy of 79.2 years ranking 16th nationally. While the state’s mortality rate of 962.2 per 100,000 is nearly 100 deaths higher than the national average, the age-adjusted mortality rate is only about 2% above the national average.

With 3.16 million residents (31st highest population), Iowa maintains a relatively young median age of 38.6 years (20th youngest) and boasts the 9th highest fertility rate nationally. However, population growth has been sluggish at only 3.6% from 2010-2019, more than one-third below the national rate.

🛡️ Exceptional Public Safety

Iowa excels in multiple safety categories, demonstrating effective public health and safety measures:

• Homicide Rate: 8th lowest nationally at only 2.7 per 100,000
• Accidental Deaths: 8th lowest rate nationally
• Drug Overdose Deaths: 5th lowest at 11.5 per 100,000
• Accidental Poisonings: Third lowest rate (10.1 per 100,000), behind only Nebraska and South Dakota
• Firearm Deaths: 10th lowest for all firearm-related mortality

🌾 Social and Economic Health Excellence

Iowa ranks as the 5th healthiest state for social and economic factors affecting health. This includes factors such as education, income, employment, housing quality, and community support systems that contribute to overall population health and wellbeing.

⚠️ Workplace Safety Challenge

Despite Iowa’s excellent overall safety record, the state faces a significant workplace safety challenge. Iowa ranks as the 2nd most dangerous state in the Midwest for workers (tied with Indiana) at 4.7 deaths per 100,000 workers.

This elevated workplace fatality rate likely reflects the state’s agricultural and manufacturing economy, where workers face higher risks from machinery, equipment, and industrial processes. This occupational safety challenge stands in contrast to Iowa’s otherwise excellent safety profile.

🧠 Mental Health Considerations

While Iowa’s suicide rate of 16.7 per 100,000 ranks 21st nationally (middle range), it represents an area where the state could focus improvement efforts. This is particularly notable given Iowa’s otherwise strong social and economic health factors.

🦠 Moderate COVID-19 Impact

Through August 2021, Iowa’s COVID-19 death rate of 197 per 100,000 was approximately 3% above the national rate. While not among the worst-hit states, this performance was somewhat worse than might be expected given Iowa’s generally strong health infrastructure and social factors.

📈 High Fertility, Slow Growth Paradox

Iowa presents an interesting demographic paradox: the state has the 9th highest fertility rate nationally at 63.4 births per 1,000 women (tied with Oklahoma), yet experienced only 3.6% population growth from 2010-2019, more than one-third below the national rate.

This suggests significant out-migration, with young adults leaving the state after reaching working age despite favorable conditions for families. The infant mortality rate of 5.03 per 1,000 live births ranks 17th nationally – a moderate performance.

💡 Life Insurance Considerations

Given Iowa’s generally favorable health statistics and excellent safety record in most categories, we at IBUSA typically try to help Iowa 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.

Despite Iowa’s low accident rates, we often recommend that our clients at least consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy as a way to supplement traditional life insurance coverage, particularly given the elevated workplace fatality rates.

Safe, Stable, with Growth Challenges

Iowa represents a state with strong safety and health fundamentals:

• Excellent Public Safety: Low rates of violence, accidents, and drug overdoses
• Strong Social Foundation: 5th best for social and economic health factors
• Family-Friendly: High fertility rates and good overall living conditions
• Workplace Safety Concern: Elevated occupational fatality rates need attention
• Population Growth Challenge: High fertility but slow growth suggests retention issues

The state provides a safe, stable environment with good health outcomes, though economic opportunities may be limited, leading to out-migration of young adults.

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

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

New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (Aug. 24, 2021)

National Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019

National Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019)

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