Nome Census Area Health Data
Nome Census Area, Alaska
Health Score
8/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
68.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
68.9 yr
State avg 75.6 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.5%
State avg 15.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
132
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
1127
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Nome Census Area, Alaska
Life expectancy 6+ years below national average
Nome residents live to 68.9 years on average, falling 6.3 years short of the U.S. average of 75.2 years. The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% substantially exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling concentrated health challenges. These disparities reflect both geographic isolation and community-level health factors.
Nome ranks low on Alaska health indicators
At 68.9 years, Nome's life expectancy trails Alaska's state average of 75.6 years by 6.7 years, placing it among the state's lower performers. The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% is nearly double the state average, indicating a community facing significant health burdens. Only Kusilvak (36.8%) reports worse health outcomes.
Health outcomes worse than most Alaska peers
Nome's life expectancy of 68.9 years falls short of North Slope (75.8 years), Petersburg (78.5 years), and Matanuska-Susitna (76.2 years), but exceeds Kusilvak (65.0 years) and Northwest Arctic (67.8 years). The poor/fair health rate of 28.8% is higher than most neighbors except Kusilvak. Nome's primary care provider rate of 132 per 100,000 and exceptionally high mental health providers (1,127 per 100,000) suggest targeted behavioral health infrastructure.
Robust mental health access amid broader challenges
Nome's uninsured rate of 14.5% is slightly below the state average, so most residents have coverage. The region boasts 132 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 1,127 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in Alaska. This suggests focused investment in behavioral and mental health services to address community-level health burdens.
Ensure continuous coverage and preventive care
With 14.5% uninsured, Nome residents should verify ongoing coverage to access the region's strong mental health and primary care resources. Regular checkups and preventive services help address underlying health challenges reflected in poor/fair health rates. Review your insurance status and schedule screenings with your primary care provider today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.