Explore Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

Explore Careers

Explore Professions

Best Companies

Explore Companies

Which States Are Least Ready For A Pandemic?

By Kathy Morris
Feb. 24, 2020
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

Find a Job You Really Want In

Least Pandemic Ready States 2026

As we move further into 2026, it’s crucial to assess how prepared different states are for potential health crises. The lessons learned from recent global health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted significant disparities in healthcare readiness across the United States. Understanding which states are least prepared can help inform policy changes and public health strategies.

To identify the states that are least equipped to handle a pandemic, we analyzed various metrics such as CDC funding, vaccination rates, and healthcare infrastructure.

Here are the states least equipped to handle a pandemic:

  1. North Carolina
  2. New Jersey
  3. Missouri
  4. New York
  5. California
  6. Indiana
  7. Georgia
  8. Ohio
  9. Illinois
  10. Nevada

How We Determined The States Least Ready For A Pandemic

  • Total CDC Funding Per Capita
  • Population Density
  • Vaccination Rate
  • Uninsured Rate
  • Hospitals Per Population
  • Flu/Pneumonia Deaths Per 100k

Our analysis began with total CDC funding per capita. Each state has its own health organizations, but CDC support plays a critical role in their effectiveness. Increased funding generally correlates with better pandemic preparedness.

Next, we examined population density, using data from the ACS. High density can accelerate the spread of contagious diseases, making preparedness even more essential.

We also looked at vaccination rates, sourced from the World Population Review. While current vaccines may not protect against future pandemics, they indicate a state’s healthcare access and public compliance with health recommendations. The uninsured rate was similarly analyzed, as uninsured individuals may delay seeking medical assistance, exacerbating public health risks.

To assess each state’s healthcare capacity, we reviewed hospital availability per population from the Kaiser Foundation. Lastly, we considered historical data on flu and pneumonia death rates per 100,000 from the CDC, as these rates can be predictive of a state’s ability to manage serious health crises.

Related:

1. North Carolina

North Carolina
Uninsured Rate: 10.7%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $18.81
Vaccination Rate: 85.30%

North Carolina ranks as the least prepared state to handle a serious health crisis, with low CDC funding, a challenging hospital-to-patient ratio, and a history of inadequate flu management.

2. New Jersey

New Jersey
Uninsured Rate: 7.4%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $16.59
Vaccination Rate: 79.40%

New Jersey’s high population density combined with limited CDC funding makes it the second least prepared state for a pandemic.

3. Missouri

Missouri
Uninsured Rate: 9.4%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $18.98
Vaccination Rate: 75.50%

Missouri faces serious challenges with low vaccination rates and high uninsured populations, contributing to its third-place ranking.

4. New York

New York
Uninsured Rate: 5.4%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $19.41
Vaccination Rate: 81.70%

Despite a majority of insured residents, New York’s high population density and inadequate historical flu management leave it vulnerable in a health crisis.

5. California

California
Uninsured Rate: 7.2%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $19.61
Vaccination Rate: 80.90%

While California offers great healthcare access, the high number of people per hospital raises concerns about its capacity to handle a significant health crisis.

6. Indiana

Indiana
Uninsured Rate: 8.3%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $17.11
Vaccination Rate: 78.60%

Indiana’s lower vaccination rate contributes to its ranking as the sixth least prepared state for a pandemic.

7. Georgia

Georgia
Uninsured Rate: 13.7%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $26.50
Vaccination Rate: 78.80%

Georgia faces significant challenges due to a high uninsured rate, which complicates its preparedness for health crises.

8. Ohio

Ohio
Uninsured Rate: 6.5%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $17.90
Vaccination Rate: 80.50%

Ohio’s CDC funding is significantly lower than that of many states, impacting its preparedness levels.

9. Illinois

Illinois
Uninsured Rate: 7%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $16.76
Vaccination Rate: 83.00%

Illinois’ dense population and limited CDC funding contribute to its ninth-place ranking among the least prepared states.

10. Nevada

Nevada
Uninsured Rate: 11.2%
CDC Funding Per Capita: $21.55
Vaccination Rate: 80.40%

Nevada’s high uninsured rate and historical challenges with flu management put it in the top ten least prepared states.

Summary On States Most Poorly Equipped To Handle A Pandemic

While the future of public health remains uncertain, it is clear that states with robust funding and infrastructure will be better positioned to combat potential health crises. Adequate preparation, informed by past lessons, will be vital in addressing future challenges. Below, you can find detailed data on the states least and most equipped to handle a pandemic.

States Least (And Most) Equipped To Handle A Pandemic

Rank State Uninsured Total Cdc Funding Per Capita Vaccination Rate (%) Population Density People Per Hospital Flu/Pneumonia Deaths Per 100Kppl
1 North Carolina 10 $18.81 85.3% 213 90,072 17
2 New Jersey 7 $16.59 79.4% 1,201 108,360 11
3 Missouri 9 $18.98 75.5% 88 48,465 16
4 New York 5 $19.41 81.7% 413 116,604 17
5 California 7 $19.61 80.9% 253 108,725 14
6 Indiana 8 $17.11 78.6% 186 50,439 13
7 Georgia 13 $26.50 78.8% 181 70,818 13
8 Ohio 6 $17.90 80.5% 285 58,887 14
9 Illinois 7 $16.76 83.0% 229 67,612 15
10 Nevada 11 $21.55 80.4% 27 67,497 19
11 Florida 13 $19.09 85.2% 394 95,289 9
12 South Carolina 10 $22.62 79.4% 168 71,732 12
12 Pennsylvania 5 $15.48 82.5% 285 63,620 14
12 Alabama 10 $21.60 81.2% 96 47,789 20
15 Virginia 8 $15.39 92.1% 215 89,090 13
16 Michigan 5 $18.80 81.0% 175 68,780 14
17 Washington 6 $20.06 78.9% 113 80,688 12
18 Texas 17 $21.28 79.9% 109 53,589 11
19 Oklahoma 14 $23.18 77.6% 57 30,475 13
20 Hawaii 4 $31.76 79.2% 221 56,975 29
21 Connecticut 5 $20.29 85.5% 737 111,665 13
21 Arizona 10 $21.07 81.0% 63 84,867 10
23 Maryland 6 $31.93 81.9% 618 118,115 14
23 Mississippi 12 $25.48 81.5% 63 29,885 22
25 Arkansas 8 $23.97 79.4% 57 34,106 19
26 Kansas 8 $20.26 78.5% 35 20,199 15
27 Delaware 5 $30.15 87.2% 494 119,602 14
28 Colorado 7 $21.13 77.3% 54 63,054 10
29 Utah 9 $22.19 79.5% 38 58,510 13
30 Massachusetts 2 $23.43 92.6% 880 91,463 15
31 Oregon 7 $21.43 78.0% 43 67,928 11
31 Tennessee 10 $20.87 86.7% 164 54,990 12
33 Wyoming 10 $29.69 76.9% 5 19,963 17
34 Louisiana 8 $27.59 79.0% 106 28,653 15
35 Wisconsin 5 $16.89 80.7% 107 43,210 12
35 Kentucky 5 $21.17 84.3% 112 40,846 18
37 West Virginia 6 $22.96 81.8% 74 32,446 18
38 Rhode Island 4 $39.59 87.5% 1,011 95,970 13
39 Idaho 11 $24.57 81.2% 21 37,341 13
40 South Dakota 9 $33.98 79.8% 11 15,313 19
41 Alaska 12 $49.67 74.2% 1 35,223 11
42 Nebraska 8 $26.64 85.7% 25 20,382 16
43 Maine 8 $27.98 88.3% 43 41,706 15
44 Montana 8 $31.77 78.7% 7 19,136 13
45 New Mexico 9 $32.66 85.7% 17 51,019 13
46 New Hampshire 5 $27.53 87.8% 151 48,170 13
47 Minnesota 4 $21.54 81.4% 70 43,149 9
48 Iowa 4 $21.70 83.5% 56 26,850 13
49 North Dakota 7 $29.88 86.1% 11 19,357 15
50 Vermont 4 $41.57 83.5% 67 44,596 9
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

Responsive Image

Related posts