Health in Massachusetts

Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
677.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Residents without health insurance
2.8%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Hospital jobs
199,033
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Adults with any health care coverage
95.0%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Adults with obesity
27.0%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adults who currently smoke
8.2%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Life Expectancy

Expected years of life at birth.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
677.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Total deaths, all causes
58,803
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Life expectancy
79.6 years
Top 5 in the U.S.
Women
82.1 years
Men
77.0 years

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes

1999–2017
677.1▼ 17%

CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017), all causes, age-adjusted.

Total deaths, all causes

1999–2017
58,803▲ 5%

CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017).

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
Life expectancy (years)79.678.4

Healthcare Access

Availability of care.

Residents without health insurance
2.8%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Primary care physicians
106 /100k
1st in the U.S.
Adults with a usual provider
91%
Health spending per capita
$14,600
Among the highest in the U.S.

Residents without health insurance

2009–2024
2.8%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian noninstitutionalized population, B27010 (2020 not released).

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
Primary care physicians (per 100k)10677

Hospitals

Hospital capacity.

Hospital jobs
199,033
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)
654,283
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Academic medical centres
Mass General Brigham, BIDMC

Hospital jobs

1990–2025
199,033▲ 55%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 622, annual average (FRED SMU25000006562200001).

Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)

1990–2025
654,283▲ 94%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 621–623, annual average (FRED SMU25000006562000001).

Insurance Coverage

Health insurance.

Adults with any health care coverage
95.0%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Uninsured rate
2.4%
Lowest in the U.S.
Employer coverage
58%

Adults with any health care coverage

2011–2020
95%

CDC BRFSS, adults 18+ (question discontinued after 2020).

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
Uninsured rate (%)2.48
  • •Massachusetts pioneered near-universal coverage with its 2006 health reform, the model for the Affordable Care Act, and now has the lowest uninsured rate in the country.

Obesity

Adult obesity prevalence.

Adults with obesity
27.0%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adult obesity
27.2%
3rd lowest in the U.S.
Overweight or obese
58%
Adult diabetes
9.1%

Adults with obesity

2011–2025
27%

CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators, adults 18+.

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
Adult obesity (%)27.233.5

Public Health Indicators

Other health measures.

Adults who currently smoke
8.2%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Smoking rate
9.6%
Among the lowest in the U.S.
Physical inactivity
20.8%

Adults who currently smoke

2011–2025
8.2%

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults 18+.

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
Smoking rate (%)9.613.7