In 2000, Kentucky's overall death rate was 991.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than the national average of 873.1. The infant mortality rate was 7.2 per 1,000 live births for 2000. In 1999, 5,469 legal abortions were performed in Kentucky, for a ratio of 6 per 1,000 women. In 2000, Kentucky ranked higher than the national averages in death rates from heart diseases, 299.5 per 100,000 residents; cerebrovascular diseases, 63.2; accidents and adverse effects 5 43.6; motor vehicle accidents, 20.9; and suicide, 68.1. The smoking prevalence was 30.1% of all Kentuckians ages 18 and older. There were 1.6 HIV-related deaths per 100,000 population in 2000. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 3,675 AIDS cases reported through 2001. Black lung (pneumoconiosis) has been recognized as a serious work-related illness among coal miners.
Kentucky's 103 community hospitals had 594,899 admissions and 15,001 beds in 2001. There were 15,507 full-time registered nurses and 2,693 full-time licensed practical nurses in 2001 and 230 physicians per 100,000 population in 2000. The average expense of a community hospital for care was $1,409.90 per inpatient day in 2001.
Federal government grants to cover the Medicare and Medicaid services in 2001 totaled $2.4 billion; 629,709 enrollees received Medicare benefits that year. At least 12.3% of the population was uninsured in 2002.