Lafayette County Health Data

Lafayette County, Arkansas

Health Score

17/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.8%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

33

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

66

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Lafayette County, Arkansas

Lafayette faces significant health gaps

At 71.7 years, Lafayette County lags the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 5 years, placing residents among the nation's lower life expectancy groups. With 31.3% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight counties examined—Lafayette shows severe chronic disease burden.

Arkansas's worst county on this measure

Lafayette County's 31.3% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the state comparison group and its 71.7-year life expectancy sits below the state average of 72.3 years. These metrics signal that Lafayette residents face concentrated health challenges requiring urgent system-level interventions.

Poorest health outcomes in region

Lafayette County's 31.3% poor/fair health rate and 11.8% uninsured rate exceed all neighboring counties, making it the region's health outlier. With only 33 primary care and 66 mental health providers per 100K, Lafayette also has the region's weakest healthcare infrastructure, compounding existing disadvantages.

Crisis-level uninsured and provider shortage

At 11.8% uninsured, Lafayette County exceeds the state average of 9.9% by the widest margin among the eight counties, leaving nearly 1 in 8 residents without coverage. The county's 33 primary care and 66 mental health providers per 100K represent the thinnest healthcare network examined, forcing residents to travel for basic and specialized care.

Get covered—your health depends on it

With nearly 1 in 8 Lafayette residents uninsured and the county's sparse provider network already stretched, coverage becomes your lifeline to care. Apply immediately for Medicaid or marketplace insurance to protect yourself and your family from catastrophic health and financial risks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Lafayette County, AR?
Lafayette County has a health score of 17/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #69 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 Lafayette County?
Life expectancy in Lafayette County is 71.7 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Lafayette County below the state average.
How does Lafayette County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Lafayette County's health score of 17/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 11.8% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Lafayette County?
Key health factors for Lafayette County include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (11.8%), and primary care physician access (33:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 66:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lafayette County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 17/100 ("Below Average"), Lafayette County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 years. 11.8% 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 Lafayette County?
Lafayette County's health score of 17/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 11.8% 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.