Despite having made progress on important health indicators including regular medical check-ups and insurance coverage, Arkansas remains close to last in the nation on many important health measures.
In 2018-22, 9.4% of babies born in Arkansas were considered to have low birth weight, 1 percentage point higher than the national rate. Low birth weight was particularly high among Black or African American babies at 16%, compared to 9.9% for Asian or Pacific Islanders, 7.4% for whites and 7.3% for Hispanics.
Arkansas adults are the most inactive in the nation, with 31% saying they did not participate in a leisure-time physical activity in the last 30 days. That was 7 percentage points higher than the national rate, and women were less active (35%) than men (28%). In 2022, 71% of adults and 43% of students were overweight or obese, above the national rate of 68%.
The state had a high smoking rate, with 19% of adults saying they smoke, a decline of 8 points from 2011 but 5 points above the national rate, making Arkansas 50th in the nation. Smoking rates were higher among men (22%) than women (16%), and similar among white and Black or African American adults (at 19% and 20%, respectively).
The share of adults having a regular medical checkup increased 8 points from 2013 to 85%, giving Arkansas a relatively high ranking of 32nd in the nation. In 2022, 90% of residents had health insurance, up from 75% in 2012 and 3 points below the national rate. Rates increased in 2014 following implementation of the Affordable Care Act and expansion of Medicaid.
Life expectancy in Arkansas was 74 years, down nearly 2 years from 2019 and below the national figure of 77. This makes Arkansas 43rd in the nation on this indicator. Life expectancy was highest for Hispanics and Latinos in 2020, at 89 years followed by Asians at 84. Black or African Americans had the lowest life expectancy at 72.
| INDICATORS | TREND | STATE |
|---|---|
| Health: Low Birth Weight Babies | Not Applicable |
| Health: Early Prenatal Care | Increasing |
| Health: Overweight or Obese Students | Increasing |
| Health: Overweight or Obese Adults | Increasing |
| Health: Physically Inactive Adults | Maintaining |
| Health: Smoking Rate | Decreasing |
| Health: Insurance Coverage Rates | Increasing |
| Health: Oral Health | Increasing |
| Health: Life Expectancy | Decreasing |
| Health: Routine Check-ups | Increasing |
| Health: Overdose Deaths | Increasing |
