📊 Critical Health Status

Mississippi ranks 50th in overall health among U.S. states in 2024, maintaining its position as the least healthy state in the nation. With a population of approximately 2.94 million, Mississippi faces the most severe health challenges of any state.

The state has the lowest life expectancy in the United States at 70.9 years, nearly 9 years less than Hawaii. Mississippi also has the highest age-adjusted mortality rate nationally at over 1,150 deaths per 100,000 residents.

🚨 Infant Mortality Public Health Emergency

In August 2024, Mississippi declared a public health emergency over its skyrocketing infant mortality rate, which reached 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births – the highest level in over a decade and an increase from 8.9 in 2023.

The crisis disproportionately affects Black families, with infant mortality rates of 15.2 per 1,000 live births compared to 5.8 for white families. Since 2014, more than 3,500 babies have died before their first birthday in Mississippi.

Leading causes include congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mississippi received an “F” grade on the 2024 March of Dimes report card.

🔫 Highest Homicide Rate in America

Mississippi leads the nation with the highest homicide rate at 19.4-23.7 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2024, more than 11 times higher than New Hampshire’s rate. This represents a dramatic increase from 10 per 100,000 in 2013.

Jackson, the state capital, accounts for approximately 127 murders annually, with gang violence concentrated in South Jackson neighborhoods. Rural counties also face significant domestic violence homicides, with 68% of murders involving handguns.

🫀 Chronic Disease Crisis

Mississippi ranks #1 nationally in several deadly categories:

• Heart Disease: 301 deaths per 100,000 (highest in US)
• Stroke: 52 deaths per 100,000 (highest in US)
• Kidney Disease: 21.8 deaths per 100,000 (highest in US)
• Alzheimer’s Disease: 49 deaths per 100,000 (highest in US)
• Diabetes: 32.5 deaths per 100,000 (2nd highest in US)

⚖️ Obesity and Lifestyle

Mississippi has struggled with the nation’s highest obesity rates for years, though recent data shows improvement from 50th to 45th place nationally. 40.1% of adults remain obese, contributing to high rates of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The state’s poverty rate of 19.6% directly correlates with poor health outcomes, limited access to healthcare, and unhealthy lifestyle factors.

💊 Drug Overdose Success

Mississippi shows significant progress in combating drug overdoses, with a 77.8% decrease in heroin deaths from Q2 2023 to Q2 2024. The state now ranks 43rd in drug overdose deaths nationally, with 11.5 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 in Q2 2024.

This improvement reflects expanded naloxone availability, increased treatment access, and comprehensive prevention programs.

💉 Vaccination Excellence

Despite overall poor health rankings, Mississippi maintains among the best childhood vaccination rates in the nation, providing excellent protection for the state’s youngest residents through strong vaccination requirements and programs.

📉 Some Health Improvements

Mississippi has shown modest progress in several areas:

• Diabetes mortality improved from 50th to 48th place nationally
• Obesity rates improved from 50th to 45th place
• Tuberculosis rates continue gradual decline
• Some reduction in pregnancy-related deaths

⚠️ Insurance Recommendations

Due to Mississippi’s challenging health landscape, IBUSA typically recommends helping residents first qualify for term life insurance with no exam.

Given the state’s high rates of obesity and chronic conditions, applicants who cannot qualify for no-exam policies may need to consider life insurance with a top company requiring medical exams.

For those with significant pre-existing conditions, final expense insurance may be the most viable option.

Given Mississippi’s exceptionally high homicide and accident rates, residents should strongly consider purchasing accidental death coverage to supplement traditional life insurance.

🏥 Healthcare Access Crisis

Mississippi faces severe healthcare access challenges:

• More than half of counties are maternity care deserts
• Ongoing physician shortages, especially in rural areas
• Low Medicaid reimbursement rates driving provider departures
• Limited access to specialty care
• Has not expanded Medicaid, limiting healthcare access for low-income residents

🏥 COVID-19 Update

While COVID-19 significantly impacted Mississippi during 2020-2022, with the state experiencing some of the nation’s highest per-capita death rates, COVID-19 has since dropped from the top 10 causes of death by 2024.

Data Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2024-2025

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

Mississippi State Department of Health, 2024 Public Health Emergency Declaration

March of Dimes, 2024 Report Card

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program and CDC Homicide Data, 2024

Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program, Overdose Data 2024

U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2024-2025

World Population Review, Life Expectancy by State, 2025

USAFacts, Leading Causes of Death Analysis, 2024