Howard County Health Data

Howard County, Arkansas

Health Score

28/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.4 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

47

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

160

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Howard County, Arkansas

Life expectancy slightly below U.S. average

Howard County residents live to an average of 72.4 years, approximately 4 years below the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years. About 23.5% report poor or fair health, indicating meaningful health challenges across the county. These metrics place Howard below the national standard on both measures.

Slightly above state average with better coverage

Howard's 72.4-year life expectancy narrowly exceeds Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, placing it near the middle of state county rankings. The uninsured rate of 10.4% is slightly above the state average of 9.9%, suggesting modest insurance gaps. Overall, Howard performs nearly at parity with the state, indicating average health outcomes for Arkansas.

Moderate healthcare capacity in the region

Howard's 72.4-year life expectancy sits between Grant (73.3) and Hot Spring (72.2), showing middle-of-the-road regional performance. With 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Howard offers moderate access—better than Hot Spring but far below Garland's 83 per 100,000. Mental health providers at 160 per 100,000 are solid but don't match the regional leaders.

Average coverage with middling provider access

Howard's 10.4% uninsured rate is slightly above state average, but 47 primary care providers per 100,000 offer decent rural access for routine care and chronic disease management. The 23.5% poor/fair health rating suggests that those with coverage and access are managing reasonably well, but gaps remain. Mental health providers at 160 per 100,000 provide moderate capacity for behavioral health services.

Close the coverage gap in Howard County

If you're among Howard's 10.4% uninsured residents, coverage is accessible—visit Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace or dial 211 to enroll. Your coverage unlocks faster access to Howard's 47 primary care providers and mental health services at 160 per 100,000. Getting covered protects against catastrophic health costs and enables preventive care that extends your healthspan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Howard County, AR?
Howard County has a health score of 28/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #38 out of 75 counties in Arkansas (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 Howard County?
Life expectancy in Howard County is 72.4 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Howard County above the state average.
How does Howard County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Howard County's health score of 28/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 72.4 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 10.4% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Howard County?
Key health factors for Howard County include: life expectancy (72.4 years), uninsured rate (10.4%), and primary care physician access (47:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 160:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Howard County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 28/100 ("Below Average"), Howard County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.4 years. 10.4% 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 Howard County?
Howard County's health score of 28/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 10.4% 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.

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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.