📊 Overall Health Rankings

According to America’s Health Rankings 2024, Nevada ranks 43rd in overall health among U.S. states, placing it significantly below the national average. Nevada’s 2025 population stands at approximately 3.27 million, making it the 32nd most populous state.

Nevada faces significant challenges in healthcare access and chronic disease management. The state has an age-adjusted death rate of 937.3 per 100,000 residents, which represents a 26.58% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Nevada’s life expectancy of 76.3 years is 0.7 years below the national average.

🚨 Healthcare Access Crisis

Nevada faces the nation’s most severe shortage of primary care providers, with only 104.5 providers per 100,000 residents – the lowest in the United States. This creates significant barriers to preventive care and early intervention for chronic conditions.

The state has 11.64% uninsured residents, ranking 7th highest nationally. Healthcare disparities are particularly severe among racial minorities, with Hispanic residents having a 26.4% uninsured rate, followed by Black residents at 16.2%.

💊 Worsening Drug Overdose Crisis

While most states saw dramatic decreases in drug overdose deaths, Nevada was one of only 5 states nationwide that experienced increases in overdose deaths between 2022-2023. This concerning trend highlights the state’s struggle with substance abuse and inadequate treatment infrastructure.

The state continues to battle opioid addiction, methamphetamine use, and other substance abuse issues that contribute to the rising overdose mortality rates.

❤️ Cardiovascular Disease Burden

Nevada ranks 11th highest nationally for cardiovascular disease mortality, with a heart disease death rate of 208.1 per 100,000 residents – 19.74% higher than the national average. This makes heart disease the leading cause of death in the state.

Risk factors contributing to high cardiovascular mortality include high rates of obesity, smoking, and limited access to preventive cardiac care due to provider shortages.

🚗 Transportation Safety

Nevada maintains relatively good transportation safety with a motor vehicle death rate of 9.9 per 100,000 population, making it among the safer western states for driving. This reflects effective traffic safety measures and highway design.

🏭 Workplace Safety

Nevada has one of the nation’s lowest workplace fatality rates at 2.8 per 100,000 workers, demonstrating strong occupational safety standards despite the state’s tourism and entertainment industries.

🧠 Lower Alzheimer’s Impact

Nevada ranks 42nd for Alzheimer’s disease mortality, indicating lower rates of dementia-related deaths compared to many other states. This may reflect the state’s relatively younger population demographics.

⚠️ Life Insurance Considerations

Due to Nevada’s healthcare access challenges and high cardiovascular disease rates, residents may face additional scrutiny when applying for life insurance. We often recommend Nevada applicants start with term life insurance with no exam to avoid potential medical underwriting complications.

For those requiring higher coverage amounts, working with top-rated life insurance companies that understand Nevada’s unique health challenges is essential.

Residents with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or limited healthcare access may need to consider final expense insurance or guaranteed issue policies.

⚡ Additional Coverage Recommendations

Given Nevada’s relatively low accident rates but increasing drug overdose trends, residents should consider comprehensive coverage strategies. An additional accidental death policy can provide supplemental protection at affordable rates.

👥 Population Characteristics

Nevada has a median age of 38.3 years and a diverse population that faces significant health disparities. The state’s tourism-based economy attracts a younger workforce but also creates unique health challenges related to shift work, stress, and lifestyle factors.

The state’s rapid population growth has outpaced healthcare infrastructure development, contributing to the severe provider shortage and access issues.

🦠 COVID-19 Impact

Nevada experienced significant COVID-19 impact, with the state’s age-adjusted death rate increasing by 26.58% from 2019 to 2021. The tourism industry’s shutdown and reopening created unique challenges for public health management and economic recovery.

By 2025, COVID-19 has largely dropped out of the top 10 causes of death, but the pandemic’s effects on healthcare access and delayed care continue to impact chronic disease management.

Health Improvement Initiatives

Nevada is implementing several initiatives to address its health challenges:

• Expansion of telehealth services to address provider shortages
• Increased investment in substance abuse treatment facilities
• Cardiovascular disease prevention programs
• Health insurance enrollment assistance for uninsured populations
• Mental health and suicide prevention initiatives
• Training programs to increase healthcare workforce

🎯 Priority Areas for Urgent Action

Nevada’s health challenges require immediate and sustained attention in several critical areas:

• Healthcare workforce development and provider recruitment
• Expansion of healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas
• Comprehensive substance abuse treatment and prevention
• Cardiovascular disease prevention and management programs
• Health insurance coverage expansion and assistance
• Mental health services and suicide prevention

Without significant investment in these areas, Nevada risks falling further behind in national health rankings and seeing continued increases in preventable deaths.

Data Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2023-2025

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

Commonwealth Fund, 2025 State Health System Performance Scorecard

Nevada Stats of the States, CDC, 2023-2025

USAFacts Health Statistics, Nevada, 2023

Trust for America’s Health, Pain in the Nation Report, 2025

Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention, 2024 Report

CDC Drug Overdose Data, Provisional Reports, 2024-2025

Southern Nevada Health District, County Health Rankings, 2024-2025

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