Northwest Arctic Borough Health Data

Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

7/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

67.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

67.8 yr

State avg 75.6 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.6%

State avg 15.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

79

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

1114

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

26.7%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

78.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 79.4 per 100K

Dentists

118.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

92.0

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 Northwest Arctic Borough differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureNorthwest Arctic BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.9%35.3%37.6%5.6 pts worse than state
Diabetes14.6%10.4%11.2%4.2 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure38.1%32.8%33.5%5.3 pts worse than state
Depression20.3%19.7%24.1%0.6 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureNorthwest Arctic BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking28.6%19.3%16.3%9.3 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking17.0%18.4%17.8%1.4 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity30.8%24.2%27.0%6.6 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureNorthwest Arctic BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup66.9%66.0%74.9%0.9 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)42.9%53.6%57.3%10.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)62.1%64.4%73.3%2.3 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureNorthwest Arctic BoroughState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.3%17.0%18.6%3.3 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration42.7%37.3%37.3%5.4 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Northwest Arctic Borough nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Northwest Arctic Borough Life Expectancy Trails National and State Averages

Health data brief for Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

The life expectancy in Northwest Arctic Borough is 67.8 years, which is nearly a decade shorter than the national average of 77 years and lower than the state average of 75.6 years. In contrast, the borough has a high ratio of mental health providers at 1,114 per 100,000 residents, significantly exceeding the national median of 250. The primary care provider ratio is 79 per 100,000, slightly above the national median of 70. About 26.7% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to 17% nationally. The uninsured rate is 16.6%, which is higher than both the state average of 15.9% and the national average of 10%. Explore more data at the County Health Rankings website.

Get Care in Northwest Arctic 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.

Maniilaq Health Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(907) 442-3321
Po Box 43, Kotzebue, AK 99752
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 Northwest Arctic Borough, AK?
Northwest Arctic Borough has a health score of 7/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #29 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 Northwest Arctic Borough?
Life expectancy in Northwest Arctic Borough is 67.8 years. The Alaska state average is 75.6 years, making Northwest Arctic Borough below the state average.
How does Northwest Arctic Borough health compare to the Alaska average?
Northwest Arctic Borough's health score of 7/100 is below the Alaska average of 40/100. Life expectancy is 67.8 years vs. the state average of 75.6 years. The uninsured rate is 16.6% vs. 15.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Northwest Arctic Borough?
Key health factors for Northwest Arctic Borough include: life expectancy (67.8 years), uninsured rate (16.6%), and primary care physician access (79:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 1,114:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Northwest Arctic Borough a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 7/100 ("Below Average"), Northwest Arctic Borough faces health challenges compared to other counties in Alaska. Residents have a life expectancy of 67.8 years. 16.6% 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 Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough's health score of 7/100 is below the Alaska average of 40/100. The uninsured rate of 16.6% 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.