Poinsett County Health Data

Poinsett County, Arkansas

Health Score

19/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

68.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

68.7 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.2%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

9

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

272

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Poinsett County, Arkansas

Poinsett County struggles with early mortality

At 68.7 years, Poinsett County residents live nearly 7.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—the second-lowest in this sample. Nearly 3 in 10 residents (29.6%) report poor or fair health, the second-highest rate among these counties and far above the national average of 18%.

Second-lowest life expectancy in state sample

Poinsett County's 68.7-year life expectancy trails Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years by 3.6 years, placing it near the bottom tier. With 29.6% in poor or fair health—the second-worst in this group—Poinsett County reflects severe health challenges concentrated in rural eastern Arkansas.

Among region's most distressed counties

Poinsett County ranks second-worst in life expectancy (68.7 years) only to Phillips County (67.4 years), with residents living 5.4 years less than Perry County. Its 9.2% uninsured rate is near state average, yet the county's poor health outcomes suggest coverage alone cannot overcome poverty and structural barriers.

Critical primary care shortage amid crisis

Poinsett County has a critical shortage of primary care providers at just 9 per 100,000 residents—the lowest among these counties—while offering 272 mental health providers per 100,000. This mismatch leaves residents unable to access basic medical care while mental health infrastructure far exceeds demand, indicating severe healthcare system misalignment.

Urgent action needed for coverage

Poinsett County's healthcare crisis requires immediate action; ensuring coverage is essential but insufficient without addressing primary care shortages. Visit healthcare.gov to verify coverage, but also connect with county health departments and community health centers that may offer extended hours, telemedicine, or referrals to distant providers to access needed primary care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Poinsett County, AR?
Poinsett County has a health score of 19/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #67 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 Poinsett County?
Life expectancy in Poinsett County is 68.7 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Poinsett County below the state average.
How does Poinsett County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Poinsett County's health score of 19/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 68.7 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.2% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Poinsett County?
Key health factors for Poinsett County include: life expectancy (68.7 years), uninsured rate (9.2%), and primary care physician access (9:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 272:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Poinsett County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 19/100 ("Below Average"), Poinsett County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 68.7 years. 9.2% 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 Poinsett County?
Poinsett County's health score of 19/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. 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.