How much is spent on healthcare in West Virginia? What is the death rate in West Virginia?
Latest update on August 7, 2023Death rate in West Virginia (age-adjusted)
In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate in West Virginia was 1,229.1 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Percent of West Virginia residents without health insurance
In 2021, 6.08% of West Virginia's residents weren't covered by health insurance.
Healthcare spending per capita in West Virginia (inflation-adjusted)
In 2020, $14,919 was spent on healthcare per West Virginia resident.
How has the death rate changed in West Virginia?
The death rate, also known as mortality rate, is determined using this data in combination with population data. A simple per capita calculation — called the crude death rate — isn't ideal for comparisons, as it doesn't account for differences in age makeup between two groups. For example, an area where more than 50% of the population is over 65 will likely have a higher crude death rate than a place where 10% is 65 or older. Age-adjusted death rates, shown here, allow for comparison between two populations with different age makeups. (Explore West Virginia's demographics.)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the primary federal agency tracking deaths nationwide. It maintains the National Vital Statistics System, which gathers death information from every state.
West Virginia's age-adjusted death rate was 30.01% higher in 2021 than in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
Death rate in West Virginia (age-adjusted)
In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate in West Virginia was 1,229.1 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Death rate per 100,000 people (age-adjusted): 2021
Death rate (age-adjusted per 100,000 people), by state: 2021
West Virginia had the highest death rate.
The age-adjusted death rate of heart disease was 223.0 per 100,000 West Virginia residents. That's 28.31% higher than the overall heart disease death rate in the US (173.8).
The National Vital Statistics System tracks the underlying (or primary) cause of death by recording information from death certificates. The leading causes of death differ by state.
Leading causes of death, by death rate: 2021
In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate of heart disease was 223.0 per 100,000 West Virginia residents.
What is the life expectancy in West Virginia?
Life expectancy in West Virginia is 4.2 years lower than life expectancy in the US overall.
Life expectancy is a projection estimating the average age of death for people born today. The calculation uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data can be a way to assess the impact of health issues such as overdoses and COVID-19.
Life expectancy at birth: 2020
In 2020, a newborn in West Virginia was expected to live 72.8 years.
How much is spent on the health of West Virginia residents?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides estimates of healthcare spending in its National Health Expenditure Accounts (NHEA). The data is further broken down into other categories, including the state of residence of the recipient of care. The estimates are calculated from several sources, including the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
While healthcare spending is expected to grow with the population, per-capita trends can provide context on how costs have changed over time.
Healthcare spending per capita in West Virginia (inflation-adjusted)
In 2020, $14,919 was spent on healthcare per West Virginia resident.
Healthcare spending per capita: 2020 (inflation-adjusted)
Healthcare spending per capita, by state: 2020
West Virginia is ranked 6th-highest in healthcare spending per capita.
How many people in West Virginia do not have health insurance?
Health insurance in West Virginia is available through various avenues. The primary way to get insurance is privately through employers. Publicly funded options include Medicare (primarily for people 65 and older), Medicaid (for low-income individuals), and plans available for active-duty military members and veterans. The Affordable Care Act expanded access to Medicaid in some states and established an online marketplace where people could buy private coverage.
The share of the uninsured population in West Virginia in 2021 was 8.0 percentage points lower than in 2013, the year before most ACA provisions went into effect. Data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows that the decrease in the share of uninsured residents occurred in every state.
Percentage of West Virginia residents without health insurance
In 2021, 6.08% of West Virginia's residents weren't covered by health insurance.
Percentage of residents without health insurance: 2021
Percentage of residents without health insurance, by state: 2021
West Virginia has the 34th-highest share of the uninsured population.
The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey asks respondents in West Virginia about their health insurance coverage source, including private plans (employer-based, direct-purchase, and Tricare or military) and publicly funded plans (like Medicaid, Medicare, or VA healthcare). The values in this chart may add up to more than 100%, because some people may be covered by multiple insurance types.
Additionally, 45.07% of West Virginia's population were covered by private health insurance plans.
Health insurance coverage, by type (2021): United States vs West Virginia
In 2021, 93.92% of West Virginia's population was covered by at least one health insurance plan.
Are there fewer babies being born in West Virginia?
Like most states, West Virginia's birth rate has been trending down in recent years.
The birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people. The data shown here is from the Census Bureau. Looking at the data as a rate rather than just the number of births allows a better understanding of changes over time.
Due to its role in population growth, the birth rate impacts various issues, including health and education. The CDC has attributed a recent drop in the birth rate to "changing patterns in social and cultural norms, as well as increases in educational attainment and contraceptive use."
Birth rate in West Virginia
In 2021, there were 9.6 babies born per 1,000 West Virginia residents.
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