Southeast Fairbanks Census Area Health Data
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
Health Score
40/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
75.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.4 yr
State avg 75.6 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.1%
State avg 15.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
57
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
240
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
Southeast Fairbanks' life expectancy below national marks
At 75.4 years, Southeast Fairbanks residents' life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years—a gap that widens when comparing to high-performing regions. With 18.3% reporting poor or fair health versus the national average of 17.8%, the census area carries a slightly heavier health burden. These figures point to structural challenges in healthcare access and community health infrastructure.
Southeast Fairbanks ranks below Alaska average
At 75.4 years, Southeast Fairbanks' life expectancy nearly matches Alaska's 75.6-year state average but lags behind higher-performing boroughs like Sitka (79.0 years). The uninsured rate of 16.1% exceeds the state average of 15.9% by 0.2 percentage points, reflecting slightly elevated coverage gaps. Combined, these metrics place Southeast Fairbanks in the state's middle tier for health outcomes.
Southeast Fairbanks struggles compared to Southeast peers
Southeast Fairbanks' 75.4-year life expectancy trails Sitka (79.0 years) and Wrangell (77.5 years) by meaningful margins—a gap that suggests lower community health investment or outcomes. With only 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Southeast Fairbanks has the lowest primary care density among comparable Southeast Alaska regions. The 240 mental health providers per 100K falls below Sitka's 2,994, widening disparities in behavioral health support.
Low provider density drives healthcare friction
Southeast Fairbanks' 16.1% uninsured rate is compounded by just 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—one of the lowest densities in Alaska. This scarcity means insured patients often wait weeks for appointments, while uninsured residents may defer care entirely due to provider shortages and cost concerns. Daily reality: residents routinely travel for specialty care, turning routine medical needs into multi-day undertakings.
Coverage becomes critical with limited access
In a region with sparse primary care options, being uninsured compounds the challenge of accessing needed treatment. Enroll in Alaska Medicaid or explore marketplace plans to ensure you can see one of the area's few available providers without financial catastrophe. Health coverage in Southeast Fairbanks isn't just insurance—it's your ticket to care when geographic and provider scarcity already make it hard to find.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK?
What is the life expectancy in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?
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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.