The overall death rate of 981.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000 was significantly higher than the US rate of 873.1, reflecting the state's higher than average elderly population. The infant mortality rate was 4.9 per 1,000 live births in 2000, ranking 49th nationally. During 1999, 2,427 legal abortions were performed in Maine for an average rate of 9 per 1,000 women. Of the population age 18 and older, 23.8% were classified as smokers in 2000. A total of 1,004 AIDS cases were reported through 2001. Major causes of death in 2000 were heart disease, occurring at a rate of 270.1 per 100,000 population, and cerebrovascular disease, occurring at a rate of 66.2. In 2000, the rate of chronic lower respiratory disease, 61 per 100,000 population, was highest in the nation. The national rate was 44.3.
Maine's 37 community hospitals had 148,612 admissions and 3,844 beds in 2001. There were 5,076 full-time registered nurses and 362 full-time licensed practical nurses in 2001 and 277 physicians per 100,000 population in 2000. The average expense of a community hospital for care was $1,473 per inpatient day in 2001.
Federal government grants to cover the Medicare and Medicaid services in 2001 totaled $941 million; 219,310 enrollees received Medicare benefits that year. At least 10.3% of the population was uninsured in 2002.