GITNUXREPORT 2026

Health Equity Statistics

Systemic injustice creates unequal health burdens based on identity and circumstance.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Women had a life expectancy of 79.3 years versus 73.5 for men in 2021, a 5.8 year gap.

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Men had 2.1 times higher age-adjusted suicide death rate at 22.8 per 100,000 versus 10.8 for women in 2021.

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Women experienced 1.5 times higher depression prevalence at 10.5% versus 6.2% for men in 2021.

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Men had 80% of workplace fatalities, but women had higher non-fatal injury rates in healthcare.

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Postmenopausal women had 25% higher osteoporosis fracture risk without screening.

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Women veterans had 50% higher PTSD rates than civilian women at 20%.

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Men over 65 had prostate screening at 60%, but women cervical at 80%.

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Pregnant women had 90% higher severe COVID outcomes if obese.

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Women had 30% more chronic pain diagnoses, undertreated by 20%.

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Men had 1.8 times higher liver disease mortality from alcohol.

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Women in menopause had 40% higher insomnia rates.

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Transgender women had HIV prevalence 20 times higher than cisgender women at 14%.

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Elderly women had 2x hip fracture rates leading to 20% higher nursing home admissions.

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Women had 15% lower heart attack treatment rates within 30 min.

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Lesbian women had 20% higher obesity rates than heterosexual women.

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Gay and bisexual men had syphilis rates 100 times higher than straight men in 2021.

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Transgender adults had 40% suicide attempt lifetime rate versus 4.6% general population.

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Lesbian women smoked at 25% rate versus 13% heterosexual women.

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Bisexual women had 2x higher intimate partner violence.

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Gay men had 12% HIV prevalence versus 0.2% heterosexual men.

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Transgender youth had 50% depression rates.

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LGBTQ+ adults had 2.5x higher asthma emergency visits.

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Disabled adults had 28.6% obesity rate versus 22.4% non-disabled in 2020.

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People with disabilities had 3x higher poverty rate at 25%.

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Disabled individuals had 20% lower life expectancy due to comorbidities.

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Adults with disabilities had 40% higher smoking prevalence at 24%.

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Disabled children had 2x higher bullying victimization rates.

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Intellectual disabilities linked to 85% higher early death risk before 65.

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Wheelchair users had 50% unmet healthcare needs due to access.

Statistic 30

Disabled women had 2x higher breast cancer mortality.

Statistic 31

Mental health disabilities had 60% unemployment rate.

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Autistic adults had 80% unemployment or underemployment.

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Disabled rural had 30% longer wait times for specialists.

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LGBTQ+ with disabilities had 70% discrimination in healthcare.

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Vision impaired had 2.5x fall injury rates.

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Hearing loss adults had 25% higher dementia risk.

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Chronic disabled had 35% higher COVID mortality.

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Mobility disabled had 40% food insecurity higher.

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In 2021, non-Hispanic Black women in the US experienced a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White women at 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Statistic 40

American Indian and Alaska Native adults had a diabetes prevalence of 13.6% in 2019, compared to 7.4% among non-Hispanic White adults, representing a 84% higher rate.

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Hispanic children under age 18 had an obesity rate of 26.2% in 2017-2020, which is 1.5 times higher than the 14.3% rate for non-Hispanic White children.

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In 2020, Asian Americans had the lowest COVID-19 hospitalization rate at 45 per 100,000, while Black Americans had 148 per 100,000, a disparity of over 3 times.

Statistic 43

Non-Hispanic Black adults over 20 had hypertension prevalence of 56.2% in 2017-2020, versus 45.3% for non-Hispanic Whites, a 24% relative disparity.

Statistic 44

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women had a breast cancer incidence rate 15% higher than White women in 2014-2018.

Statistic 45

In 2019, Black men had a prostate cancer mortality rate of 38.9 per 100,000, twice that of White men at 18.9 per 100,000.

Statistic 46

Hispanic adults had a 9.0% stroke prevalence in 2019, lower than 11.5% for Blacks but with higher undiagnosed rates at 25%.

Statistic 47

American Indian adults smoked at 31.8% rate in 2020, compared to 12.9% for Asian adults, over 2.4 times higher.

Statistic 48

In 2021, Black youth aged 12-17 had 15.4% major depressive episode rate, versus 11.2% for White youth.

Statistic 49

Non-Hispanic Black individuals had a life expectancy of 71.8 years in 2021, 5.6 years less than non-Hispanic Whites at 77.4 years.

Statistic 50

Hispanic adults had 10.5% asthma prevalence in 2021, higher than 8.1% for non-Hispanic Whites.

Statistic 51

In 2018, Black children had 2.4 times higher rate of food insecurity at 28.5% versus 11.8% for White children.

Statistic 52

Asian American elders over 65 had 10% lower access to mammography screening compared to White elders at 70% screening rate.

Statistic 53

Native Americans had kidney failure incidence 1.5 times higher than Whites in 2021.

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Black women had 40% higher preterm birth rate at 14.1% versus 10.0% for White women in 2021.

Statistic 55

Hispanic men had liver cancer mortality 1.8 times higher than non-Hispanic White men in 2015-2019.

Statistic 56

In 2020, Black adults had 20% higher opioid overdose death rate adjusted for age.

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American Indian women experienced intimate partner violence at 46% lifetime rate versus 34% for White women.

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Non-Hispanic Black teens had 25% higher suicide attempt rate in 2021.

Statistic 59

In 2022, Black maternal mortality was 49.5 per 100,000 live births nationally, 3 times White rate.

Statistic 60

AI/AN had heart disease death rate 1.3 times higher than Whites in 2021.

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Hispanic obesity among adults was 45.6% vs 41.4% Whites in 2020.

Statistic 62

Asian COVID death rate lowest but NHPI 3x White in some states.

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Black lung cancer survival 5-year rate 18.8% vs 24.8% White.

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Rural residents had 20% higher heart disease death rate at 168 per 100,000 versus 140 in urban areas in 2020.

Statistic 65

Urban children had 15% higher asthma prevalence than rural at 8.5% versus 7.4% in 2019.

Statistic 66

Rural adults over 18 had 38% obesity rate versus 33% urban in 2021.

Statistic 67

Rural counties had 50% more opioid overdose deaths per capita in 2021.

Statistic 68

Urban areas had 2x more access to specialists, rural had 40 minute longer travel times.

Statistic 69

Rural elderly had 18% lower colorectal cancer screening rates at 62% versus 80% urban.

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Rural mothers had 30% higher low birthweight rates at 8.5%.

Statistic 71

Urban poor had 25% higher HIV prevalence than rural poor.

Statistic 72

Rural veterans had 35% higher suicide rates at 32 per 100,000.

Statistic 73

Rural areas had 15% fewer dentists per capita, leading to 20% more ED dental visits.

Statistic 74

Urban youth had 12% higher vaping rates versus 9% rural in 2021.

Statistic 75

Rural diabetics had 25% higher amputation rates due to poor foot care access.

Statistic 76

Urban heat islands caused 10% more heat-related deaths in low-income urban vs rural.

Statistic 77

Rural cancer mortality was 16% higher for lung cancer in 2019.

Statistic 78

Urban immigrants had 18% lower mental health service use due to barriers.

Statistic 79

Rural stroke death rates were 40 per 100,000 higher than urban.

Statistic 80

In 2019, adults with household income less than $25,000 had obesity prevalence of 41.3%, compared to 29.7% for those with income over $75,000.

Statistic 81

Low-income children (below 100% FPL) had 23% unmet dental care needs in 2019, versus 7% for high-income children.

Statistic 82

Individuals with less than high school education had 2.5 times higher smoking rate at 28% versus 11% for college graduates in 2020.

Statistic 83

Poor adults had diabetes prevalence of 13.8% in 2019, 2 times higher than non-poor at 6.9%.

Statistic 84

Low SES neighborhoods had 30% higher air pollution exposure linked to 15% more asthma hospitalizations.

Statistic 85

Adults with income <20k had 18.5% depression rate in 2021, versus 6.8% for >70k income.

Statistic 86

Near-poor elderly had 25% higher rate of skipping medications due to cost at 15% versus 5% for high-income.

Statistic 87

Low-income women had cervical cancer screening rate of 75% versus 88% for high-income in 2019.

Statistic 88

Households below poverty had 40% higher food insecurity rate at 22% in 2021.

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Education below college linked to 50% higher cardiovascular disease mortality risk.

Statistic 90

Low SES adults had 3 times higher chronic kidney disease prevalence at 18%.

Statistic 91

Poor children had 2.8 times higher lead poisoning rate >5ug/dL at 2.5%.

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Income <25k associated with 35% higher hypertension control failure.

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Low education mothers had infant mortality 1.7 times higher.

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Uninsured low-income had ER visits 2x higher for preventable conditions.

Statistic 95

Poverty linked to 20% higher adult vaccination gaps for flu.

Statistic 96

Low SES had 28% opioid prescription rates but 45% overdose deaths.

Statistic 97

Poor rural adults had 15% higher suicide rates.

Statistic 98

Income disparity caused 25% more mental health untreated cases.

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Low education <HS had 45% COPD prevalence vs 10% college grads.

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Poverty households had 35% child asthma higher.

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Income <$20k had 50% mental health access barriers.

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The stark reality that your zip code, race, or income can dictate your health outcomes, from a mother's risk of dying in childbirth to a child's chance of developing asthma, is the defining crisis of health equity in America.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, non-Hispanic Black women in the US experienced a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White women at 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births.
American Indian and Alaska Native adults had a diabetes prevalence of 13.6% in 2019, compared to 7.4% among non-Hispanic White adults, representing a 84% higher rate.
Hispanic children under age 18 had an obesity rate of 26.2% in 2017-2020, which is 1.5 times higher than the 14.3% rate for non-Hispanic White children.
In 2019, adults with household income less than $25,000 had obesity prevalence of 41.3%, compared to 29.7% for those with income over $75,000.
Low-income children (below 100% FPL) had 23% unmet dental care needs in 2019, versus 7% for high-income children.
Individuals with less than high school education had 2.5 times higher smoking rate at 28% versus 11% for college graduates in 2020.
Rural residents had 20% higher heart disease death rate at 168 per 100,000 versus 140 in urban areas in 2020.
Urban children had 15% higher asthma prevalence than rural at 8.5% versus 7.4% in 2019.
Rural adults over 18 had 38% obesity rate versus 33% urban in 2021.
Women had a life expectancy of 79.3 years versus 73.5 for men in 2021, a 5.8 year gap.
Men had 2.1 times higher age-adjusted suicide death rate at 22.8 per 100,000 versus 10.8 for women in 2021.
Women experienced 1.5 times higher depression prevalence at 10.5% versus 6.2% for men in 2021.
Disabled adults had 28.6% obesity rate versus 22.4% non-disabled in 2020.
People with disabilities had 3x higher poverty rate at 25%.
Disabled individuals had 20% lower life expectancy due to comorbidities.

Systemic injustice creates unequal health burdens based on identity and circumstance.

Gender Disparities

Women had a life expectancy of 79.3 years versus 73.5 for men in 2021, a 5.8 year gap.
Men had 2.1 times higher age-adjusted suicide death rate at 22.8 per 100,000 versus 10.8 for women in 2021.
Women experienced 1.5 times higher depression prevalence at 10.5% versus 6.2% for men in 2021.
Men had 80% of workplace fatalities, but women had higher non-fatal injury rates in healthcare.
Postmenopausal women had 25% higher osteoporosis fracture risk without screening.
Women veterans had 50% higher PTSD rates than civilian women at 20%.
Men over 65 had prostate screening at 60%, but women cervical at 80%.
Pregnant women had 90% higher severe COVID outcomes if obese.
Women had 30% more chronic pain diagnoses, undertreated by 20%.
Men had 1.8 times higher liver disease mortality from alcohol.
Women in menopause had 40% higher insomnia rates.
Transgender women had HIV prevalence 20 times higher than cisgender women at 14%.
Elderly women had 2x hip fracture rates leading to 20% higher nursing home admissions.
Women had 15% lower heart attack treatment rates within 30 min.
Lesbian women had 20% higher obesity rates than heterosexual women.
Gay and bisexual men had syphilis rates 100 times higher than straight men in 2021.
Transgender adults had 40% suicide attempt lifetime rate versus 4.6% general population.
Lesbian women smoked at 25% rate versus 13% heterosexual women.
Bisexual women had 2x higher intimate partner violence.
Gay men had 12% HIV prevalence versus 0.2% heterosexual men.
Transgender youth had 50% depression rates.
LGBTQ+ adults had 2.5x higher asthma emergency visits.

Gender Disparities Interpretation

This bleak statistical tug-of-war reveals a healthcare system riddled with gendered failures, where men often die sooner from external causes while women disproportionately suffer and survive through internalized neglect.

LGBTQ+ and Disability Disparities

Disabled adults had 28.6% obesity rate versus 22.4% non-disabled in 2020.
People with disabilities had 3x higher poverty rate at 25%.
Disabled individuals had 20% lower life expectancy due to comorbidities.
Adults with disabilities had 40% higher smoking prevalence at 24%.
Disabled children had 2x higher bullying victimization rates.
Intellectual disabilities linked to 85% higher early death risk before 65.
Wheelchair users had 50% unmet healthcare needs due to access.
Disabled women had 2x higher breast cancer mortality.
Mental health disabilities had 60% unemployment rate.
Autistic adults had 80% unemployment or underemployment.
Disabled rural had 30% longer wait times for specialists.
LGBTQ+ with disabilities had 70% discrimination in healthcare.
Vision impaired had 2.5x fall injury rates.
Hearing loss adults had 25% higher dementia risk.
Chronic disabled had 35% higher COVID mortality.
Mobility disabled had 40% food insecurity higher.

LGBTQ+ and Disability Disparities Interpretation

These statistics reveal a society where disability compounds into a cascade of preventable hardship, cutting lives short through layered neglect in healthcare, poverty, and social hostility.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

In 2021, non-Hispanic Black women in the US experienced a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White women at 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births.
American Indian and Alaska Native adults had a diabetes prevalence of 13.6% in 2019, compared to 7.4% among non-Hispanic White adults, representing a 84% higher rate.
Hispanic children under age 18 had an obesity rate of 26.2% in 2017-2020, which is 1.5 times higher than the 14.3% rate for non-Hispanic White children.
In 2020, Asian Americans had the lowest COVID-19 hospitalization rate at 45 per 100,000, while Black Americans had 148 per 100,000, a disparity of over 3 times.
Non-Hispanic Black adults over 20 had hypertension prevalence of 56.2% in 2017-2020, versus 45.3% for non-Hispanic Whites, a 24% relative disparity.
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women had a breast cancer incidence rate 15% higher than White women in 2014-2018.
In 2019, Black men had a prostate cancer mortality rate of 38.9 per 100,000, twice that of White men at 18.9 per 100,000.
Hispanic adults had a 9.0% stroke prevalence in 2019, lower than 11.5% for Blacks but with higher undiagnosed rates at 25%.
American Indian adults smoked at 31.8% rate in 2020, compared to 12.9% for Asian adults, over 2.4 times higher.
In 2021, Black youth aged 12-17 had 15.4% major depressive episode rate, versus 11.2% for White youth.
Non-Hispanic Black individuals had a life expectancy of 71.8 years in 2021, 5.6 years less than non-Hispanic Whites at 77.4 years.
Hispanic adults had 10.5% asthma prevalence in 2021, higher than 8.1% for non-Hispanic Whites.
In 2018, Black children had 2.4 times higher rate of food insecurity at 28.5% versus 11.8% for White children.
Asian American elders over 65 had 10% lower access to mammography screening compared to White elders at 70% screening rate.
Native Americans had kidney failure incidence 1.5 times higher than Whites in 2021.
Black women had 40% higher preterm birth rate at 14.1% versus 10.0% for White women in 2021.
Hispanic men had liver cancer mortality 1.8 times higher than non-Hispanic White men in 2015-2019.
In 2020, Black adults had 20% higher opioid overdose death rate adjusted for age.
American Indian women experienced intimate partner violence at 46% lifetime rate versus 34% for White women.
Non-Hispanic Black teens had 25% higher suicide attempt rate in 2021.
In 2022, Black maternal mortality was 49.5 per 100,000 live births nationally, 3 times White rate.
AI/AN had heart disease death rate 1.3 times higher than Whites in 2021.
Hispanic obesity among adults was 45.6% vs 41.4% Whites in 2020.
Asian COVID death rate lowest but NHPI 3x White in some states.
Black lung cancer survival 5-year rate 18.8% vs 24.8% White.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Interpretation

The American health system operates with a disturbing, almost algorithmic precision, not in its successes but in its stark, generational failures that assign Black, Indigenous, and other people of color consistently worse odds of survival and well-being from cradle to grave.

Rural-Urban Disparities

Rural residents had 20% higher heart disease death rate at 168 per 100,000 versus 140 in urban areas in 2020.
Urban children had 15% higher asthma prevalence than rural at 8.5% versus 7.4% in 2019.
Rural adults over 18 had 38% obesity rate versus 33% urban in 2021.
Rural counties had 50% more opioid overdose deaths per capita in 2021.
Urban areas had 2x more access to specialists, rural had 40 minute longer travel times.
Rural elderly had 18% lower colorectal cancer screening rates at 62% versus 80% urban.
Rural mothers had 30% higher low birthweight rates at 8.5%.
Urban poor had 25% higher HIV prevalence than rural poor.
Rural veterans had 35% higher suicide rates at 32 per 100,000.
Rural areas had 15% fewer dentists per capita, leading to 20% more ED dental visits.
Urban youth had 12% higher vaping rates versus 9% rural in 2021.
Rural diabetics had 25% higher amputation rates due to poor foot care access.
Urban heat islands caused 10% more heat-related deaths in low-income urban vs rural.
Rural cancer mortality was 16% higher for lung cancer in 2019.
Urban immigrants had 18% lower mental health service use due to barriers.
Rural stroke death rates were 40 per 100,000 higher than urban.

Rural-Urban Disparities Interpretation

Your zip code shouldn't determine your health destiny, yet this map of inequity shows rural areas are plagued by deadly shortages—from doctors to hope—while urban centers face concentrated battles against pollution, poverty, and the crushing weight of systemic neglect.

Socioeconomic Disparities

In 2019, adults with household income less than $25,000 had obesity prevalence of 41.3%, compared to 29.7% for those with income over $75,000.
Low-income children (below 100% FPL) had 23% unmet dental care needs in 2019, versus 7% for high-income children.
Individuals with less than high school education had 2.5 times higher smoking rate at 28% versus 11% for college graduates in 2020.
Poor adults had diabetes prevalence of 13.8% in 2019, 2 times higher than non-poor at 6.9%.
Low SES neighborhoods had 30% higher air pollution exposure linked to 15% more asthma hospitalizations.
Adults with income <20k had 18.5% depression rate in 2021, versus 6.8% for >70k income.
Near-poor elderly had 25% higher rate of skipping medications due to cost at 15% versus 5% for high-income.
Low-income women had cervical cancer screening rate of 75% versus 88% for high-income in 2019.
Households below poverty had 40% higher food insecurity rate at 22% in 2021.
Education below college linked to 50% higher cardiovascular disease mortality risk.
Low SES adults had 3 times higher chronic kidney disease prevalence at 18%.
Poor children had 2.8 times higher lead poisoning rate >5ug/dL at 2.5%.
Income <25k associated with 35% higher hypertension control failure.
Low education mothers had infant mortality 1.7 times higher.
Uninsured low-income had ER visits 2x higher for preventable conditions.
Poverty linked to 20% higher adult vaccination gaps for flu.
Low SES had 28% opioid prescription rates but 45% overdose deaths.
Poor rural adults had 15% higher suicide rates.
Income disparity caused 25% more mental health untreated cases.
Low education <HS had 45% COPD prevalence vs 10% college grads.
Poverty households had 35% child asthma higher.
Income <$20k had 50% mental health access barriers.

Socioeconomic Disparities Interpretation

Poverty is a pre-existing condition whose cruel symptoms range from lead in the blood to holes in the teeth, and from silent lungs to untreated minds, proving that a person's health is often just a receipt for their economic environment.

Sources & References

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