Little River County Health Data

Little River County, Arkansas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

35/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.8 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

17

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

9

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.9%

State avg 25.3%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

16.7

per 100K residentsCDC: 16.7 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

25.1

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 Little River County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureLittle RiverState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity41.3%41.1%37.6%near state average
Diabetes12.4%12.4%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure39.7%39.6%33.5%near state average
Depression26.0%25.9%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureLittle RiverState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.4%18.7%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking15.3%15.6%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity34.6%34.3%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureLittle RiverState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.2%77.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)52.5%49.6%57.3%2.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)71.3%70.1%73.3%1.2 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureLittle RiverState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.7%20.7%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration40.4%41.1%37.3%0.7 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Little River County nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Mental Health Provider Availability Significantly Low in Little River County

Health data brief for Little River County, Arkansas.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Little River County records 9 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents, a figure that contrasts with the national median of 250 per 100,000. Data from the CDC and NPPES also indicates that the primary care provider ratio stands at 17 per 100,000, compared to a national median of 70. The county reports a life expectancy of 71.8 years, which is similar to the 72.3 years recorded across Arkansas but remains lower than the national average of 77 years. Regarding general health status, 22.9% of residents report poor or fair health, whereas the national average is 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 7.9%, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 9.9% and the national rate of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Little River County, Arkansas

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.

Little River Memorial Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(870) 898-5011
451 West Locke Street, Ashdown, AR 71822
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Little River County, AR?
Little River County has a health score of 35/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #17 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 Little River County?
Life expectancy in Little River County is 71.8 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Little River County below the state average.
How does Little River County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Little River County's health score of 35/100 is above the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.8 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Little River County?
Key health factors for Little River County include: life expectancy (71.8 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (17:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 9:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Little River County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 35/100 ("Below Average"), Little River County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.8 years. 7.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Little River County healthier than the Arkansas average?
Little River County's health score of 35/100 exceeds the Arkansas average of 29/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Little River County has better primary care access (17:1 ratio) than the state average (46:1).

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.