Life Expectancy
Alaskans have a life expectancy of 76.6 years, below the national average, shaped by rural access challenges and extreme distances to specialized care.
Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
1999–2017CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017), all causes, age-adjusted.
Total deaths, all causes
1999–2017CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 76.6 | 78.4 |
- •Some Alaska villages require medical evacuation by air for serious emergencies.
- •Life expectancy has not fully recovered to pre-2020 levels.
Healthcare Access
Healthcare access in Alaska is defined by extreme distances, with roughly 82% of communities unreachable by road, requiring air travel for many medical services.
Residents without health insurance
2009–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian noninstitutionalized population, B27010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured rate (%) | 10.5 | 8 |
- •Medical evacuation flights are a routine part of emergency care in rural Alaska.
- •Healthcare costs in Alaska rank among the highest in the nation due to logistics and low population density.
Hospitals
Alaska has approximately 25 hospitals serving its 740,100 residents, with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Providence Alaska Medical Center serving as the largest facilities.
Hospital jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 622, annual average (FRED SMU02000006562200001).
Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 621–623, annual average (FRED SMU02000006562000001).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured rate (%) | 10.5 | 8 |
- •Anchorage, home to about 40% of Alaska's population, hosts the state's largest hospitals.
- •Many rural clinics rely on telemedicine to connect patients with specialists.
Health Insurance Coverage
About 10.5% of Alaskans lack health insurance, notably higher than the national uninsured rate, reflecting workforce seasonality and rural healthcare gaps.
Adults with any health care coverage
2011–2020CDC BRFSS, adults 18+ (question discontinued after 2020).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured rate (%) | 10.5 | 8 |
- •Alaska's uninsured rate has been trending downward since 2020.
- •Rural areas rely heavily on Indian Health Service and tribal health programs for coverage.
Obesity Rate
Alaska's adult obesity rate stands at 33.5%, slightly above the national average, linked to limited fresh food access and long winters that reduce physical activity.
Adults with obesity
2011–2025CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators, adults 18+.
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity rate (%) | 33.5 | 33 |
- •Fresh produce in remote villages can cost 2-3 times what it does in Anchorage.
- •Obesity rates have risen steadily in Alaska over the past five years.
Public Health Indicators
Alaska's public health profile combines a below-average life expectancy of 76.6 years with above-average uninsured and obesity rates, reflecting the challenges of a vast, sparsely populated state.
Adults who currently smoke
2011–2025CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults 18+.
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 76.6 | 78.4 |
| Uninsured rate (%) | 10.5 | 8 |
| Obesity rate (%) | 33.5 | 33 |
- •The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium serves one of the most comprehensive tribal healthcare networks in the US.
- •Village Public Safety and health outreach programs often cover areas larger than entire East Coast states.