• North Dakota is the state most likely to visit the ER, with 588 emergency room (ER) visits per 1,000 population in 2022.
• Indiana is the seventh most likely to visit the ER, with 519 visits per 1,000 population.
• Nevada is the least likely to visit the ER, with 251 ER visits per 1,000 population.

New data reveals the states most likely to see emergency room (ER) visits, with Indiana ranking seventh.

By analyzing data sourced from the American Hospital Association (AHA), Las Vegas personal injury law firm Ladah Law Firm found the total number of emergency room (ER) visits per 1,000 population in 2022 for each state. A ranking of the states based on the number of ER visits was created.

1. North Dakota (588 visits per 1,000 population): In North Dakota, common reasons for emergency room visits include injuries from farming and agricultural accidents, as well as car accidents on rural roads. Additionally, the state's cold winters contribute to falls on ice, frostbite, and hypothermia cases, which all lead to frequent ER visits.

2. Louisiana (574 visits per 1,000 population): Louisiana sees many ER visits related to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and dehydration, as well as accidents from the state's busy highways and rural areas. Respiratory issues related to poor air quality and high humidity also drive many residents to seek emergency care.

3. West Virginia (550 visits per 1,000 population): West Virginia’s high rate of ER visits stem from a combination of work-related injuries in the coal mining and logging industries, alongside accidents involving ATVs and other outdoor activities. Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and respiratory illnesses, also contribute significantly to ER visits.

4. District of Columbia (538 visits per 1,000 population): In Washington D.C., emergency room visits often arise from traffic accidents, as well as injuries related to slips and falls in urban environments. The city also sees a high volume of ER cases related to chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension.

5. Mississippi (527 visits per 1,000 population): Mississippi's high rate of ER visits is largely attributed to motor vehicle accidents, agricultural-related injuries, and chronic health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Limited access to healthcare in rural areas means that many residents rely on ERs for urgent and ongoing medical care.

6. Kentucky (525 visits per 1,000 population): Kentucky residents frequently visit the ER due to injuries related to farming, mining, and transportation accidents. The state also has a high incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, contributing to emergency room demand.

7. Indiana (519 visits per 1,000 population): In Indiana, common causes for ER visits include motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, particularly in manufacturing and farming, and health issues related to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

8. Ohio (513 visits per 1,000 population): Ohio's emergency rooms often see patients for motor vehicle accidents, industrial workplace injuries, and chronic health problems like heart disease and respiratory issues. The state’s large population also means a significant number of ER visits for routine accidents and urgent medical issues.

9. Maine (504 visits per 1,000 population): Maine's emergency rooms often deal with injuries from logging and fishing industries, as well as motor vehicle accidents on rural roads. The state’s harsh winters also contribute to a high number of slips, falls, and cold-weather-related conditions such as frostbite.

10. Idaho (487 visits per 1,000 population): In Idaho, the top reasons for ER visits include injuries related to farming and ranching, as well as recreational accidents involving ATVs and hiking. The state’s rugged landscape and cold winters also lead to many cases of fractures, sprains, and hypothermia.

Ramzy Ladah, Owner/Lead Attorney of Ladah Law Firm, commented on the findings:

“Across the U.S., emergency room visits are often driven by the unique environmental and occupational risks present in each state. In areas with high rates of farming, mining, and outdoor recreation, such as North Dakota or West Virginia, we see a consistent influx of patients suffering from both accidental injuries and chronic health conditions related to these industries. States with more rural populations, like Mississippi and Kentucky, also tend to rely heavily on emergency services for urgent care due to limited access to regular healthcare facilities. Understanding these factors is key to addressing the disparities in ER visit rates and improving preventive care measures.”

Methodology: 

1. For each state, the total number of state/local government hospital emergency room (ER) visits, non-profit hospital ER visits and for-profit hospital ER visits per 1,000 population was found.
2. These totals were combined to find the total number of hospital emergency room (ER) visits per 1,000 population in 2022.
3. The states were then ranked to reveal the states most likely to visit the ER.

Sources:

2022 American Hospital Association ER visits by state per 1,000 population, published by KFF

Population data from annual population estimates by state, US Census bureau

Definitions:

Emergency room visits: Reflects the number of visits to the emergency unit. Emergency outpatients can be admitted to the inpatient areas of the hospital, but they are still counted as emergency visits and subsequently as inpatient admissions.

Community hospitals: All non-federal, short-term general, and speciality hospitals whose facilities and services are available to the public.

N/A: Not applicable when state/local government, non-profit, or for-profit hospitals do not exist in the state.

Notes

Data are for community hospitals, which represent 85% of all hospitals.

Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Full ranking: