Health in Tennessee

Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
897.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Residents without health insurance
9.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Hospital jobs
130,183
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Adults with any health care coverage
86.9%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Adults with obesity
37.9%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adults who currently smoke
15.0%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Life Expectancy

Expected years of life at birth.

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
897.1
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Total deaths, all causes
70,096
2017 · CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Life expectancy
73.8 years
Rank
45th in the U.S.
Change since 2019
-1.8 years

Age-adjusted death rate, all causes

1999–2017
897.1▼ 8%

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

Total deaths, all causes

1999–2017
70,096▲ 30%

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

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Life expectancy (years)73.877.5

Healthcare Access

Availability of care.

Residents without health insurance
9.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Primary care physicians
79 /100k
Rural hospital closures
14 since 2010
Health spending per capita
$8,900

Residents without health insurance

2009–2024
9.7%

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

Hospitals

Hospital capacity.

Hospital jobs
130,183
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)
435,950
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Largest system
HCA / Vanderbilt Health

Hospital jobs

1990–2025
130,183▲ 73%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 622, annual average (FRED SMU47000006562200001).

Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)

1990–2025
435,950▲ 130%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 621–623, annual average (FRED SMU47000006562000001).

Insurance Coverage

Health insurance.

Adults with any health care coverage
86.9%
2020 · CDC BRFSS
Uninsured rate
10.1%
Employer coverage
49%

Adults with any health care coverage

2011–2020
86.9%

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

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Uninsured rate (%)10.18.0
  • •Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, which keeps its uninsured rate above the national average.

Obesity

Adult obesity prevalence.

Adults with obesity
37.9%
2025 · CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators
Adult obesity
37.1%
Rank
5th highest
Adult diabetes
13.4%

Adults with obesity

2011–2025
37.9%

CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators, adults 18+.

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Adult obesity (%)37.133.5

Public Health Indicators

Other health measures.

Adults who currently smoke
15.0%
2025 · CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Smoking rate
17.9%
Infant mortality
6.4 /1,000
Drug overdose deaths
41.6 /100k

Adults who currently smoke

2011–2025
15%

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults 18+.

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Infant mortality (per 1,000)6.45.6