📊 Overall Health Rankings

According to America’s Health Rankings 2024, Ohio ranks 34th in overall health among U.S. states, placing it in the middle tier nationally. Ohio’s 2025 population stands at approximately 11.69 million, making it the 7th largest state by population, though growth has remained sluggish at only 1.3% from 2010-2019.

Ohio faces significant health challenges, with an age-adjusted mortality rate of 1,012.8 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021. The state’s life expectancy of 75.3 years is 1.7 years below the national average, highlighting ongoing public health concerns.

🚨 Drug Overdose Crisis

Ohio continues to battle one of the nation’s most severe drug overdose epidemics, ranking 3rd highest nationally with 38.3 deaths per 100,000 residents – nearly double the national average. This represents over 4,250 overdose deaths annually, with fentanyl being a primary driver of fatalities.

The state has implemented comprehensive response strategies including expanded naloxone distribution, increased treatment accessibility, and enhanced law enforcement targeting drug trafficking networks.

👶 Maternal and Infant Health Concerns

Ohio faces significant challenges in maternal and infant health outcomes. The state’s infant mortality rate of 7.1 per 1,000 live births ranks 43rd nationally, with particularly concerning disparities among racial groups – Black infants face mortality rates of 13.3 per 1,000, more than double the rate for white infants at 5.6 per 1,000.

Maternal mortality stands at 24.5 deaths per 100,000 births, reflecting ongoing challenges in prenatal care access and quality, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities.

✅ Suicide Prevention Progress

Ohio ranks 29th nationally for suicide deaths at 15.1 per 100,000, which is relatively favorable compared to many other health metrics. The state has invested in mental health programs and crisis intervention services, though suicide rates have still increased 31% since 2007, requiring continued attention and resources.

🏥 Healthcare Access Improvements

Ohio has made notable progress in healthcare access following Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The state’s uninsured rate decreased to 6.53% in 2021, representing a 5.0 percentage point improvement since 2013. This expansion has provided coverage to hundreds of thousands of previously uninsured Ohioans.

⚠️ Life Insurance Considerations

Given Ohio’s higher-than-average mortality rates across multiple categories, we at IBUSA typically try to help Ohio applicants first qualify for term life insurance with no exam when possible.

For those unable to qualify for such policies, life insurance with a top company requiring a medical exam remains available.

Some people with pre-existing conditions may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.

🚬 Tobacco Use and Related Diseases

Ohio has the 6th highest adult smoking rate nationally at 17.1% in 2022, with 20% of high school students reporting e-cigarette use. This contributes significantly to Ohio’s elevated rates of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.

Childhood trauma appears to be a contributing factor, with 69% of Ohio adults reporting exposure to one or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

🏭 Environmental and Occupational Health

Ohio’s industrial economy contributes to workplace safety challenges and environmental health concerns. The state ranks 6th highest for accidental deaths at 67.7 per 100,000, largely due to workplace incidents and Ohio’s 3rd highest rate of accidental poisoning deaths.

Air quality issues persist, with Ohio ranking among the lowest states for air pollution measures, affecting respiratory health outcomes statewide.

🚗 Accidental Death Protection

Given Ohio’s elevated rate of accidental deaths – approximately 20% above the national average – we often recommend that our clients consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy to supplement traditional life insurance coverage.

This is particularly relevant for workers in Ohio’s manufacturing, construction, and chemical industries where workplace accidents are more common.

📈 Demographic and Economic Factors

Ohio faces several socioeconomic challenges that impact health outcomes. Over 1.8 million Ohioans (15% of the population) experience food insecurity, with 1 in 5 Ohio children living in food-insecure households. These conditions contribute to higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions.

The state’s aging population and slow population growth of only 1.3% from 2010-2019 present additional challenges for healthcare system planning and economic sustainability.

🏙️ Urban Health Disparities

Several Ohio cities face significant public safety challenges. Dayton ranks 5th nationally with 34.8 murders per 100,000 residents, while Cleveland ranks 10th with 24.09 murders per 100,000. Overall, Ohio’s homicide rate of 6.6 per 100,000 ranks 17th highest nationally.

These urban health challenges are compounded by economic factors, with limited economic opportunity and lack of community support systems contributing to both violence and health disparities.

Ohio continues to face challenges with:

• High rates of preventable chronic diseases
• Environmental health hazards from industrial activities
• Rural healthcare access disparities
• Significant racial and economic health outcome disparities
• Ongoing substance abuse epidemic requiring sustained intervention
• High tobacco use rates contributing to multiple disease categories

Despite these challenges, Ohio’s healthcare infrastructure improvements and expanded Medicaid coverage provide a foundation for potential health improvements with sustained public health investment and policy reforms.

Data Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2022-2024

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

Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 2024

March of Dimes, 2024 Report Card for Ohio

Health Policy Institute of Ohio, 2024 Health Value Dashboard

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2021-2023

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC, 2022-2024

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2024 Data Release

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 2024