📊 Overall Health Rankings

Wisconsin demonstrates solid health outcomes, ranking in the upper third nationally for overall health performance. The state’s 2024 population reached approximately 5.96 million, showing steady but modest growth. Wisconsin benefits from strong healthcare infrastructure, particularly in urban areas like Milwaukee and Madison.

Wisconsin’s mortality rate has shown improvement, declining from 1,068.6 per 100,000 in 2020 to 976.1 per 100,000 in 2023. The state’s life expectancy of approximately 79.5 years exceeds the national average, reflecting generally good health outcomes and healthcare access.

🚨 Accidental Deaths – Above National Average

Wisconsin faces significant challenges with accidental deaths, ranking 14th highest nationally with a rate of 62 per 100,000. The state has particularly elevated rates of deaths from falls, historically ranking as the highest in the nation for fall-related fatalities among older adults.

Wisconsin’s rate of deaths from preventable injuries ranks 7th highest nationally, highlighting the need for enhanced injury prevention programs, particularly in rural areas and among older residents.

🍺 Excessive Drinking – National Challenge

Wisconsin faces a significant challenge with alcohol consumption, historically ranking worst in the nation for excessive drinking. Despite this, the state maintains a relatively low rate of liver disease deaths (18th lowest), suggesting effective treatment programs or other protective factors.

This paradox highlights the complex relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and health outcomes, with Wisconsin’s healthcare system apparently providing effective interventions for alcohol-related health complications.

💊 Drug Overdoses – Dramatic Decline

Wisconsin achieved one of the most significant reductions in drug overdose deaths in 2024, with deaths falling by more than 36% – the second consecutive year of decline after rising through the pandemic. This represents one of the largest one-year decreases in the nation.

Factors contributing to this improvement include:

• Expanded availability of naloxone (Narcan) and overdose reversal training
• Enhanced treatment access through Wisconsin’s opioid treatment programs
• Comprehensive state-funded prevention and intervention programs
• Mobile Integrated Health teams for overdose follow-ups
• Nearly $2.4 million in federal funding for emergency response enhancement

💗 Chronic Disease Management

Wisconsin maintains below-national-average rates for most major chronic diseases, including heart disease (24th lowest), cancer (25th lowest), diabetes (31st lowest), and stroke (35th lowest). This reflects strong healthcare infrastructure and preventive care access.

🔫 Low Violence Rates

Wisconsin maintains low rates of violent death, with homicide rates ranking 31st lowest nationally at 4.2 per 100,000. The state also has the 12th lowest firearm mortality rate, contributing to overall safety and security.

⚠️ Life Insurance Considerations

Wisconsin residents present a “mixed bag” for life insurance underwriting. While many can qualify for no medical exam term life insurance given the state’s relatively good health outcomes, the elevated accident rates and drinking patterns may require more thorough evaluation.

Most applicants may need life insurance policies requiring medical exams, and some may need guaranteed issue life insurance for full coverage.

Given the elevated accident risks, we often recommend supplemental accidental death policies to enhance overall coverage.

🚬 Smoking and Obesity

Wisconsin faces challenges with lifestyle factors that contribute to long-term health risks:

• Adult smoking rate of 16.4% (25th highest nationally), above the national average of 14%
• Adult obesity rate of 34.2% (17th highest nationally)
• These rates contribute to elevated risks for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in the long term

🏥 COVID-19 Update

Wisconsin demonstrated relatively strong COVID-19 management during the pandemic, with death rates consistently below national averages. The state’s COVID-19 mortality rate was 16th lowest nationally during both 2020 and 2021, reflecting effective public health responses and healthcare system capacity.

By 2024, COVID-19 has dropped out of the top 10 causes of death, with suicide now replacing it as the 10th leading cause of death nationally.

Wisconsin Health Improvement Strategies

Wisconsin continues to focus on improving health outcomes through targeted initiatives:

• Comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment programs
• Fall prevention programs for older adults
• Alcohol abuse intervention and treatment services
• Enhanced emergency medical services and trauma care
• Rural healthcare access improvement initiatives
• Mobile Integrated Health programs for high-risk populations

Wisconsin’s primary health challenges requiring continued attention include:

• Reducing accidental deaths, particularly falls among older adults
• Addressing excessive alcohol consumption patterns
• Smoking cessation programs to reduce long-term health risks
• Obesity prevention and management initiatives
• Maintaining progress in drug overdose prevention
• Ensuring equitable healthcare access across rural and urban areas

Despite these challenges, Wisconsin’s overall health outlook remains positive, with strong healthcare infrastructure, improving mortality trends, and successful interventions in substance abuse treatment demonstrating the state’s commitment to public health improvement.

Data Sources

Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Death Records and Vital Statistics, 2023-2024

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2023-2024

Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH) Query System, 2024

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

Wisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response System, 2024

CDC Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts, 2024

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2024-2025

Wisconsin Department of Administration Population Estimates, 2025

Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management Overdose Dashboard, 2024

World Population Review, State Demographics and Health Rankings, 2024-2025