📊 Mixed Health Performance

New Jersey presents a complex health profile that reflects both urban health successes and challenges. With a mortality rate of 850 per 100,000 – below the national average – and life expectancy of 79.8 years (9th highest), the state demonstrates effective healthcare delivery and preventive medicine in many areas.

As the nation’s most densely populated state (1,208 per square mile) with 8.88 million residents (11th largest population), New Jersey faces unique urban health challenges while maintaining strong performance in traditional public health metrics.

🏆 National Leadership Areas

New Jersey demonstrates exceptional performance across multiple critical health and safety metrics:

• Suicide Rate: Lowest in the nation (8.0 per 100,000)
• Chronic Respiratory Disease: 2nd lowest nationally (26.3 per 100,000)
• Firearm Deaths: 3rd lowest (4.1 per 100,000)
• Motor Vehicle Fatalities: 3rd lowest (6.7 per 100,000)
• Occupational Fatalities: 3rd safest (1.8 per 100,000)
• Liver Disease Deaths: 4th lowest (7.8 per 100,000)
• Diabetes Deaths: 7th lowest (16.7 per 100,000)
• Smoking Rate: 7th lowest (13.1%)
• Infant Mortality: 7th lowest (4.3 per 1,000 live births)

⚠️ Significant Concerns

Despite many health successes, New Jersey faces serious challenges in several critical areas:

• COVID-19 Deaths: Highest rate nationally (301 per 100,000 through August 2021)
• Septicemia Deaths: 2nd highest nationally (17.2 per 100,000)
• Drug Overdose Deaths: 10th highest (31.7 per 100,000)
• Accidental Poisoning: 6th highest rate
• Environmental Quality: Worst air and water quality nationally

These challenges reflect the complex intersection of urban density, environmental factors, and modern public health threats that require targeted interventions.

🦠 Pandemic Challenges

New Jersey experienced the most severe COVID-19 impact of any U.S. state:

• Highest Death Rate: 301 per 100,000 through August 2021
• Top Cause of Death: COVID-19 ranked among top 3 causes statewide in 2020
• Urban Density Factor: High population density contributed to transmission rates
• Healthcare System Strain: Significant pressure on hospital capacity

This severe impact likely reflects New Jersey’s position as a major metropolitan area with high population density, international travel connections, and early exposure to the pandemic.

📈 Mixed Demographic Patterns

New Jersey presents complex demographic and lifestyle patterns that influence health outcomes:

• Population Age: 10th oldest state with median age of 40.2 years
• Population Growth: Only 1.0% from 2010-2019 (9th lowest nationally)
• Fertility Rate: Moderate at 59.5 per 1,000 women (23rd highest)
• Smoking Rate: Low at 13.1% (7th lowest)
• Urban Density: Most densely populated state creates unique challenges

The combination of slow population growth despite moderate fertility suggests significant out-migration, likely driven by high costs of living despite quality healthcare and services.

🚗 Outstanding Safety Record

New Jersey demonstrates exceptional performance in public safety and accident prevention:

• Motor Vehicle Safety: 3rd lowest fatality rate at 6.7 per 100,000
• Workplace Safety: Tied for 3rd safest with 1.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers
• Firearm Safety: 3rd lowest firearm death rate at 4.1 per 100,000
• Mental Health Support: Lowest suicide rate nationally

These achievements reflect effective regulation, infrastructure investment, and comprehensive safety programs that protect residents across multiple risk categories.

🏭 Environmental Quality Issues

New Jersey faces significant environmental challenges that may impact long-term health outcomes:

• Air Quality: Worst rated nationally
• Water Quality: Worst rated nationally
• Industrial Legacy: Historical pollution from manufacturing
• Urban Density Impact: High population density exacerbates environmental pressures

These environmental factors may contribute to certain health risks and require sustained investment in cleanup efforts and environmental protection measures.

💡 Life Insurance Considerations

New Jersey residents present a mixed risk profile for life insurance consideration. The state’s excellent performance in traditional health metrics (low suicide, respiratory disease, diabetes rates) and strong public safety record create favorable conditions for many applicants. At IBUSA, we often successfully help New Jersey applicants qualify for no medical exam term life insurance policies.

However, the state’s challenges with drug overdoses, environmental quality, and COVID-19 impact may require more careful underwriting assessment in certain cases. Fully underwritten life insurance policies and guaranteed issue life insurance policies remain viable options for comprehensive coverage needs.

New Jersey’s overall strong life expectancy (9th highest nationally) and low age-adjusted mortality rate generally support competitive life insurance premiums, particularly for non-smoking residents in areas with better environmental conditions.

Complex Urban Health Profile

New Jersey represents a sophisticated case study in modern public health challenges and successes:

• Traditional Health Success: Excellence in suicide prevention, respiratory health, and chronic disease management
• Safety Leadership: National leadership in workplace, traffic, and firearm safety
• Modern Challenges: Significant issues with drug overdoses, environmental quality, and pandemic impact
• Healthcare Quality: Strong overall life expectancy and low age-adjusted mortality despite challenges
• Urban Complexity: High density creates both opportunities and risks for population health

New Jersey demonstrates how states can excel in traditional public health measures while facing significant challenges from modern urban health threats. The state requires targeted interventions addressing environmental quality, substance abuse, and pandemic preparedness while maintaining its strengths in chronic disease prevention and safety programs.

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)

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

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

National Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019

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. 16, 2021)

National Safety Council, Motor-Vehicle Deaths by State (2019)

National Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019)