Health in Missouri

Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
820.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Residents without health insurance
7.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Hospital jobs
140,583
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Adults with any health care coverage
87.5%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Adults with obesity
36.6%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adults who currently smoke
14.2%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Life Expectancy

Expected years of life at birth.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
820.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Total deaths, all causes
61,876
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Life expectancy
75.4 years
Rank
42nd in the U.S.
Gap vs U.S.
-3.0 years

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes

1999–2017
820.1▼ 13%

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

Total deaths, all causes

1999–2017
61,876▲ 11%

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

IndicatorMissouriU.S.
Life expectancy (years)75.478.4

Healthcare Access

Availability of care.

Residents without health insurance
7.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Physicians per 100,000
82
Rank
Near the U.S. average
Rural shortage areas
High

Residents without health insurance

2009–2024
7.7%

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

IndicatorMissouriU.S.
Primary care physicians (per 100k)8277

Hospitals

Hospital capacity.

Hospital jobs
140,583
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)
468,392
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Hospital beds per 1,000
3.1
Largest systems
BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health

Hospital jobs

1990–2025
140,583▲ 60%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 622, annual average (FRED SMU29000006562200001).

Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)

1990–2025
468,392▲ 115%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 621–623, annual average (FRED SMU29000006562000001).

Insurance Coverage

Health insurance.

Adults with any health care coverage
87.5%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Uninsured rate
9.5%
Employer coverage
52%

Adults with any health care coverage

2011–2020
87.5%

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

IndicatorMissouriU.S.
Uninsured rate (%)9.58

Obesity

Adult obesity prevalence.

Adults with obesity
36.6%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adult obesity rate
37.3%
Rank
Among the highest
Physical inactivity
27%

Adults with obesity

2011–2025
36.6%

CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators, adults 18+.

IndicatorMissouriU.S.
Adult obesity (%)37.333.5

Public Health Indicators

Other health measures.

Adults who currently smoke
14.2%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Adult smoking rate
18.4%
Rank
Among the highest
Diabetes prevalence
12.2%

Adults who currently smoke

2011–2025
14.2%

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults 18+.

IndicatorMissouriU.S.
Smoking rate (%)18.413.7