📊 Overall Health Rankings

According to America’s Health Rankings 2024, Oklahoma ranks 47th in overall health among U.S. states, unchanged from 2023. However, Oklahoma ranks 39th in health outcomes, showing that while the state faces systemic challenges, actual health outcomes are better than the overall ranking suggests.

Oklahoma continues to have the nation’s highest rates of heart disease and chronic respiratory disease deaths. The state’s population of approximately 4.1 million faces significant health challenges, with a life expectancy of 72.7 years – one of the lowest in the nation.

🚨 Maternal Health Crisis

Oklahoma’s maternal mortality rate remains significantly above the national average at 31.9 deaths per 100,000 live births (2020-2022), compared to the national rate of 26.3. The state shows stark racial disparities, with Black women experiencing a maternal mortality rate of 70 per 100,000 compared to 22.8 for white women.

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate has improved to 6.9 per 1,000 live births in 2021, representing a 20% decrease since 2007, but disparities remain significant among racial and ethnic groups.

💔 Cardiovascular Disease Epidemic

Oklahoma leads the nation with the highest heart disease death rate, with approximately 305 deaths per 100,000 residents annually. This translates to over 12,500 deaths per year from heart disease alone. Contributing factors include high rates of obesity (4th highest nationally), smoking (9th highest), and limited access to preventive care in rural areas.

💊 Drug Overdose Deaths – Major Progress

Oklahoma experienced a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in 2024, mirroring the national trend. The state’s robust naloxone distribution programs have made life-saving medication widely available through multiple channels:

• 24/7 delivery service through Grand Mental Health (539-242-6078)
• Community distribution boxes in Tulsa through Family and Children’s Services
• Free mail delivery from the state via okimready.org
• Police and fire departments equipped with naloxone kits
• Good Samaritan laws protect those who call 911 for overdoses

Oklahoma has invested hundreds of millions from opioid lawsuit settlements into addiction treatment programs, contributing to the decline in overdose deaths.

👶 Infant Mortality Improvements

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate improved significantly from 8.6 per 1,000 live births in 2007 to 6.9 in 2021, representing a 20% decline. The state has implemented comprehensive programs including the “Preparing for a Lifetime” initiative and participates in national quality improvement collaboratives.

⚠️ Life Insurance Considerations

Due to Oklahoma’s elevated mortality rates and high prevalence of chronic conditions, residents often face challenges when applying for traditional life insurance. For this reason, we at IBUSA typically help Oklahoma applicants first qualify for term life insurance with no exam.

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

Given Oklahoma’s high rates of heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, some applicants may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.

Certified Healthy Community Initiative

Oklahoma has launched the Certified Healthy Community program to create environments that foster healthy behaviors and policy implementation. This collaborative effort focuses on:

• Evidence-based health and wellness principles
• Community ordinance adoption and implementation
• Addressing high premature death rates
• Improving physical activity participation
• Reducing economic hardship impact on health

🏥 COVID-19 Impact and Recovery

While COVID-19 was among the leading causes of death in Oklahoma during 2020-2022, it has significantly declined as a primary cause of mortality by 2024. Oklahoma’s response included robust vaccination efforts and improved healthcare capacity, contributing to the state’s recovery from pandemic-era mortality peaks.

⚡ Workplace and Accident Safety

Oklahoma’s economy, heavily dependent on energy, agriculture, and manufacturing, faces ongoing workplace safety challenges. The state ranks as the 9th most dangerous state for driving, contributing to elevated accidental death rates.

Due to these elevated accident risks, we often recommend Oklahoma residents consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy to supplement traditional life insurance coverage.

🔄 Methamphetamine Crisis

While opioid deaths have declined, methamphetamine remains Oklahoma’s biggest drug threat. Methamphetamine is involved in 3 out of 5 drug overdose deaths in the state, with deaths increasing nearly 21-fold from 2007 to 2023 (from 39 to 813 deaths). This represents a shift from the earlier prescription opioid crisis to stimulant-related deaths.

Oklahoma continues to face challenges with:

• Highest heart disease mortality rate nationally
• Highest chronic respiratory disease death rate
• Rural healthcare access and physician shortages
• Economic hardship affecting health access
• Low rates of physical activity participation
• High prevalence of preventable chronic conditions

Despite these persistent challenges, Oklahoma has shown meaningful progress in reducing drug overdoses and infant mortality, providing a foundation for continued health improvements.

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

Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Statistics and Injury Prevention Service, 2023-2024

March of Dimes, 2024 Report Card for Oklahoma

Oklahoma Maternal Mortality Review Committee Annual Report, 2024

CDC Drug Overdose Data Dashboard and Provisional Data, 2024-2025

U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2024

Oklahoma State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), 2024

Commonwealth Fund State Health System Performance Rankings, 2025

USAFacts Health Data Analysis, 2024