Pennsylvania Mortality Rates
2025 Comprehensive Health Report
Population
Life Expectancy
Median Age
Annual Deaths
Leading Causes of Death
Pennsylvania mortality statistics showing causes of death and national rankings:
| Cause of Death | Deaths/Year | Per 100,000 | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Disease | 32,299 | 172.9 | 15th |
| Cancer | 27,746 | 153.5 | 17th |
| Accidents | 8,596 | 61.2 | 12th |
| Stroke | 6,658 | 35.3 | 26th |
| Respiratory Diseases | 6,341 | 34.2 | 38th |
| Drug Overdose | 4,377 | 35.6 | 5th highest |
| Alzheimer’s | 4,150 | 21.2 | 44th |
| Diabetes | 3,654 | 20.4 | 30th |
| Kidney Disease | 2,975 | 16.0 | 13th |
| Pneumonia + Flu | 2,483 | 13.4 | 17th |
| Septicemia | 2,285 | 12.6 | 10th |
| Suicide | 1,896 | 14.1 | 37th |
| Liver Disease | 1,479 | 8.7 | 46th |
| Homicide | 722 | 6.1 | 19th |
Health Status Overview
📊 Population Demographics
Pennsylvania has the 5th largest population in the United States with 12.8 million residents and the 9th highest population density at 285.73 people per square mile. With a median age of 40.9 years, Pennsylvania ranks as the 8th oldest state in the nation.
The state’s population growth rate of 0.8% between 2010-2019 was the 8th lowest nationally, and Pennsylvania has the 12th lowest fertility rate at 56.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44.
Key Health Challenges
🚨 Drug Overdose Crisis
Pennsylvania faces a severe drug overdose crisis with a rate of 35.6 deaths per 100,000, ranking 5th highest in the nation. The state borders all four states with higher overdose rates: West Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, and Maryland, creating a regional crisis area.
This epidemic significantly impacts life insurance considerations for Pennsylvania residents, as overdose deaths among working-age adults affect actuarial calculations.
⚠️ Life Insurance Considerations
Due to elevated mortality rates and specific health challenges, we at IBUSA typically try to help Pennsylvania 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.
Some people with pre-existing conditions may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.
1,051.8 per 100,000
19th highest
285.73 per sq mile
Areas of Strength
✅ Low Liver Disease and Alzheimer’s Rates
Pennsylvania demonstrates excellent performance in several health categories. The state has the 5th lowest liver disease mortality rate and 6th lowest Alzheimer’s disease death rate nationally. Additionally, Pennsylvania ranks 9th lowest for hypertension-related deaths.
🚗 Vehicle Safety
Despite having elevated accident rates overall, Pennsylvania ranks well below the national rate for vehicle deaths, indicating effective traffic safety measures and infrastructure.
👷 Workplace Safety
Pennsylvania demonstrates strong workplace safety with only 2.6 occupational deaths per 100,000 workers, tying with Minnesota for the 9th safest state in which to work. This is particularly notable given Pennsylvania’s industrial economy.
Specific Risk Factors
🔫 Violence and Self-Harm
Pennsylvania has the 19th highest homicide rate at 6.1 deaths per 100,000, but performs better with the 14th lowest suicide rate at 14.1 per 100,000. The state’s firearm-related mortality rate of 11.7 deaths per 100,000 ties with Virginia for 18th nationally.
🤕 Accidental Deaths
Pennsylvania has the 12th highest rate of preventable accident deaths and ranks well above national rates for deaths from poisoning, choking, and falls. For this reason, we often recommend clients consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy to supplement traditional life insurance coverage.
🏥 COVID-19 Impact
Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 death rate of 88.4 per 100,000 in 2020 ranked 21st highest nationally. By August 2021, the rate rose to 11th highest at 219 deaths per 100,000, reflecting the pandemic’s significant impact on the state’s mortality statistics.
Environmental Health Concerns
🌫️ Environmental Challenges
Pennsylvania faces significant environmental health challenges that may impact long-term mortality trends:
- Ranks 2nd worst for air pollution nationally
- Ranks 4th worst for housing with lead risk
- Industrial legacy affecting environmental health
These environmental factors may contribute to the state’s elevated rates of respiratory diseases and other chronic conditions.
Data Sources
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2019
Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States, 2020
StatsAmerica (Indiana Business Research Center), Median Age, 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
CDC, Provisional Death Rates for COVID-19, 2020-2021
National Safety Council, Preventable Injury-Related Death Rates, 2019
United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report
