North Slope Borough Health Data

North Slope Borough, Alaska

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

39/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.8 yr

State avg 75.6 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.7%

State avg 15.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

37

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

94

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

19.4%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

27.5

per 100K residentsCDC: 36.5 per 100K

Dentists

45.9

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

9.2

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 North Slope Borough differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureNorth Slope BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity41.2%35.3%37.6%5.9 pts worse than state
Diabetes11.0%10.4%11.2%0.6 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure35.3%32.8%33.5%2.5 pts worse than state
Depression17.7%19.7%24.1%2.0 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureNorth Slope BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking19.9%19.3%16.3%0.6 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking19.7%18.4%17.8%1.3 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.1%24.2%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureNorth Slope BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup65.3%66.0%74.9%0.7 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)51.8%53.6%57.3%1.8 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)65.9%64.4%73.3%1.5 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureNorth Slope BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.3%17.0%18.6%0.7 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration39.0%37.3%37.3%1.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare North Slope Borough nationally on obesity.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

North Slope Borough Primary Care Provider Ratio Below State Norms

Health data brief for North Slope Borough, Alaska.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

The North Slope Borough has a primary care provider ratio of 37 per 100,000 residents, which is roughly half of the national median of 70 per 100,000. The mental health provider ratio is also lower than the national median, at 94 per 100,000 compared to 250. Life expectancy in the borough is 75.8 years, which is slightly higher than the state average of 75.6 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 14.7%, which is higher than the national average of 10% but lower than the state average of 15.9%. About 19.4% of residents report poor or fair health. Examine the CDC County Health Rankings methodology for detailed metric definitions.

Get Care in North Slope Borough, 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.

Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(907) 852-4611
7000 Uula St, Barrow, AK 99723
Critical Access HospitalsTribal

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of North Slope Borough, AK?
North Slope Borough has a health score of 39/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #20 out of 30 counties in Alaska (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in North Slope Borough?
Life expectancy in North Slope Borough is 75.8 years. The Alaska state average is 75.6 years, making North Slope Borough above the state average.
How does North Slope Borough health compare to the Alaska average?
North Slope Borough's health score of 39/100 is below the Alaska average of 40/100. Life expectancy is 75.8 years vs. the state average of 75.6 years. The uninsured rate is 14.7% vs. 15.9% statewide.
What health factors affect North Slope Borough?
Key health factors for North Slope Borough include: life expectancy (75.8 years), uninsured rate (14.7%), and primary care physician access (37:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 94:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is North Slope Borough a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 39/100 ("Below Average"), North Slope Borough faces health challenges compared to other counties in Alaska. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.8 years. 14.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in North Slope Borough?
North Slope Borough's health score of 39/100 is below the Alaska average of 40/100. The uninsured rate of 14.7% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.