Mortality in Nebraska
- Nebraska Population: 1,934,408 (37th highest)
- Population Density: 25.22 per square mile (43rd most dense)
- Median Age: 36.9 (5th youngest)
- Deaths Per Year: 16,904
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 876.2
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 79.1
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 66.2 (5th highest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in Nebraska
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Heart Disease
|
3,540 | 144.9 | 37th |
| Cancer
|
3,482 | 147.9 | 28th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
1,117 | 46.1 | 16th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
851 | 40.1 | 45th |
| Stroke
|
769 | 31.5 | 40th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
768 | 30.3 | 30th |
| Diabetes
|
540 | 23 | 20th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
355 | 14.5 | 12th |
| Hypertension (high blood pressure)
|
294 | 11.8 | 6th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
273 | 11.3 | 29th |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
241 | 11.3 | 26th |
| Suicide
|
309 | 16.1 | 25th |
| Drug Overdose
|
161 | 8.7 | 50th |
| Homicide
|
58 | 3.1 | 39th |
Population Statistics
Nebraska has the 14th lowest population and 8th lowest population density among U.S. states.
With a median age of 36.9, Nebraska ranks as the nation’s 5th youngest state (behind Utah, Texas, Alaska, and North Dakota). Nebraska also has the nation’s 5th highest fertility rate (behind the Dakotas, Alaska, and Utah). Nebraska’s infant mortality rate of 4.95 per 1,000 live births is 15th lowest among U.S. states.
Health Conditions
Nebraska has the nation’s lowest rate of death due to drug overdose and 6th lowest rate of accidental deaths. Nebraska is also 14th lowest in heart-disease deaths and 11th lowest for strokes. Nebraska is 6th highest in hypertension-related deaths and 12th highest in pneumonia and flu deaths.
For these reasons and more, we here at IBUSA will typically try to help applicants from Nebraska first qualify for a no medical exam term life insurance when possible, and for those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, fully underwritten life insurance policies and guaranteed issue life insurance policies may still be an option.
Covid
With 132 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 population through August, 2021, Nebraska has the nation’s 12th lowest rate.
Homicide, Suicide and Firearms
Nebraska’s homicide rate of 3.1 per 100,000 population ties Connecticut for 12th Nebraska was 5th lowest in 2018, with 1.9 per 100,000. For all firearm-related deaths, Nebraska is 13th lowest, with 10.4 deaths per 100,000.
Accidental Death
At 7.3 deaths per 100,000, Nebraska’s rate of deaths due to accidental poisoning is the lowest in the country. South Dakota is the only other state with an accidental poisoning death rate below 10.
Despite these numbers we’ll still often recommend that our clients at least consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy as a way to supplement any traditional life insurance coverage they may already have.
Sources:
U.S. Dept of Ag., Economic Research Service, https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17827 (citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2019).
Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States Including District of Columbia in 2020 (2020).
StatsAmerica (Ind. Bus. Research Center), Median Age in 2019.
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, State & Territorial Data (2018 – 2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018).
New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (Aug. 4, 2021).
Natl. Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019 (preventable-injury-related death rates per 100,000 population by state of residence, United States, 2019).
