Bethel Census Area Health Data
Bethel Census Area, Alaska
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
8/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
68.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.2%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
68.9 yr
State avg 75.6 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.2%
State avg 15.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
86
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
2886
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
29.9%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
108.2
per 100K residentsCDC: 86.2 per 100K
Dentists
10.8
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
43.3
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Bethel Census Area differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Bethel Census Area | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 39.4% | 35.3% | 37.6% | 4.1 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 14.7% | 10.4% | 11.2% | 4.3 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.7% | 32.8% | 33.5% | 6.9 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 20.3% | 19.7% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Bethel Census Area | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 31.2% | 19.3% | 16.3% | 11.9 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 15.6% | 18.4% | 17.8% | 2.8 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 34.4% | 24.2% | 27.0% | 10.2 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Bethel Census Area | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 64.9% | 66.0% | 74.9% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 37.0% | 53.6% | 57.3% | 16.6 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 57.2% | 64.4% | 73.3% | 7.2 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Bethel Census Area | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 20.9% | 17.0% | 18.6% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 41.8% | 37.3% | 37.3% | 4.5 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bethel Census Area nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Bethel Census Area Mental Health Provider Ratio Outpaces National Medians
Health data brief for Bethel Census Area, Alaska.
Bethel Census Area reports 2,886 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that is more than eleven times the national median of 250 per 100,000. In contrast to this high provider ratio, 29.9% of residents report poor or fair health, nearly double the national average of 17%. The census area also records a life expectancy of 68.9 years, which is significantly lower than the state average of 75.6 years and the national average of 77 years. Primary care provider access is recorded at 86 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national median of 70. The uninsured rate in Bethel is 14.2%, placing it below the state average of 15.9% but above the national average of 10%. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Reg Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Bethel Census Area residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Alaska.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Bethel Census Area, AK?
What is the life expectancy in Bethel Census Area?
How does Bethel Census Area health compare to the Alaska average?
What health factors affect Bethel Census Area?
Is Bethel Census Area a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Bethel Census Area?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.