Mortality Rates in Wyoming
- Wyoming Population: 578,559 (50th highest)
- Population Density: 6 per square mile (49th most dense)
- Median Age: 38.7 (27th oldest)
- Deaths Per Year: 5,070 per year
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 877.6 (28th highest)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 78.1 years old (29th longest)
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 60.8 (20th highest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in Wyoming
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Heart Disease
|
1,067 | 150.4 | 33rd |
| Cancer
|
1,016 | 138.9 | 40th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
381 | 51.7 | 9th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
384 | 63.1 | 8th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
238 | 34.4 | 19th |
| Stroke
|
221 | 31.7 | 38th |
| Suicide
|
170 | 29.3 | 1st |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
141 | 22.4 | 2nd |
| Diabetes
|
132 | 18.4 | 40th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
99 | 14.6 | 11th |
| Drug Overdose
|
79 | 14.1 | 43rd |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
61
|
8.3 | 43rd |
| Septicemia
|
38 | 5.4 | 45th |
| Homicide
|
25 | 4.4 | 29th |
Population Statistics
Wyoming has the lowest population in the U.S. and is the 2nd least densely populated state (behind only Alaska).
Health Conditions
Wyoming is among the states with the lowest rates of death from cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and septicemia (blood-poisoning illnesses). However, Wyoming ranks among the highest in liver disease and respiratory illnesses. For these reasons, most life insurance companies will often look at those living in Wyoming as a bit of a “mixed” bag.
Homicide and Firearms
Wyoming’s homicide rate of 4.4 per 100,000 population is about 30% below the national average, but Wyoming’s firearm fatality rate is 3rd highest at 22.3 (behind only Alaska and Mississippi).
Suicide
Wyoming’s suicide rate is highest among U.S. states, and suicide is the 7th leading cause of death in Wyoming. Men account for nearly 75% of suicides in Wyoming.
Drug overdose deaths in Wyoming are well below the national average and rate 11th lowest among U.S. states.
In cases where individuals have a history of suicide attempts or significant drug use, many applicants may find that they won’t be able to immediately qualify for a traditional or no medical exam life insurance policy.
In situations like these some applicants may be forced to consider a guaranteed issue life insurance policy or an accidental death policy instead.
Lifestyle Risks
Adults in Wyoming have the nation’s 14th and 16th lowest rates of obesity and smoking, respectively.
Covid
Though Wyoming’s rates of deaths due to respiratory illnesses and pneumonia are well above the national average, Wyoming has the nation’s 13th lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths as of July, 2021.
Workplace
With a workplace fatality rate of 12.00 per 100,000 workers, Wyoming is the second most dangerous state in which to work (behind only Alaska).
Driving
Wyoming’s rate of 19.4 motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 population is 4th highest in the U.S. (below Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina).
Sources:
U.S. Dept of Ag., Economic Research Service, https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17827 (citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2019).
Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States Including District of Columbia in 2020 (2020).
StatsAmerica (Ind. Bus. Research Center), Median Age in 2019.
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021).
United Health Foundation, America’s Health Ranking: Suicide in Wyoming (2020).
New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (July 16, 2021).
CDC, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, Map of Current Cigarette Use Among Adults (2018).
Statista, Percentage of Adults with Obesity in the United States as of 2019 (2019).
Natl. Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019).
Natl. Safety Council, Motor-Vehicle Deaths by State (2019).
