Union County Health Data

Union County, Arkansas

Health Score

30/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.4 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.8%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

63

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

198

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Union County, Arkansas

Life expectancy lags despite managed health status

Union County's 70.4-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 6 years, placing it among Arkansas's weaker performers. Yet at 22.4% reporting poor or fair health—the lowest rate among the eight counties analyzed—residents report relatively better daily wellness than their life expectancy would suggest.

Below state average but fewer health complaints

Union County's 70.4-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years short of Arkansas's 72.3-year state average, yet its 22.4% poor or fair health rate is the best in the state group. This disconnect suggests that factors beyond active disease burden—possibly economic hardship, healthcare access, or care-seeking patterns—drive shorter lifespans.

Healthiest perceived wellness, shortest life span

Union County's 22.4% poor or fair health rate is the lowest among all eight counties, but its 70.4-year life expectancy ties St. Francis County at the bottom. This paradox hints that self-reported health doesn't capture underlying conditions like cardiovascular disease or diabetes that may not be actively managed or recognized.

Best insurance coverage rate in the group

Union County's 8.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among the eight counties—below Arkansas's 9.9% state average—meaning most residents have insurance access. With 63 primary care providers and 198 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers reasonable provider capacity, yet life expectancy remains constrained.

Verify coverage to support good health

Union County has done well building insurance coverage, but the life expectancy gap suggests that having insurance alone isn't enough—regular checkups and chronic disease screening are essential. If you're among the uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or contact Arkansas Medicaid to close the coverage gap and enable preventive care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Union County, AR?
Union County has a health score of 30/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #31 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 Union County?
Life expectancy in Union County is 70.4 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Union County below the state average.
How does Union County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Union County's health score of 30/100 is above the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 70.4 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 8.8% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Union County?
Key health factors for Union County include: life expectancy (70.4 years), uninsured rate (8.8%), and primary care physician access (63:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 198:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Union County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 30/100 ("Below Average"), Union County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.4 years. 8.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Union County healthier than the Arkansas average?
Union County's health score of 30/100 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.

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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.