Van Buren County Health Data

Van Buren County, Arkansas

Health Score

29/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.9 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

26

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

93

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Van Buren County, Arkansas

Strong life expectancy masks health challenges

Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but the county's 27.0% poor or fair health rate—50% above the national average—reveals significant chronic disease burden. This gap between longevity and wellness underscores the need for stronger prevention and management strategies.

Above state average but stressed by disease

Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year state average by 1.6 years, placing it among the healthier counties statewide. However, its 27.0% poor or fair health rate remains elevated, suggesting unmet prevention needs among residents with chronic conditions.

Strong life span, sparse primary care network

Van Buren County's 73.9-year life expectancy rivals nearby Stone County (74.0 years) and Sebastian County (73.5 years), but its 26 primary care providers per 100,000 rank among the lowest in the region. This provider shortage likely forces residents to delay preventive visits and rely on urgent care for chronic disease management.

Modest uninsured rate, critical provider gap

Van Buren County's 10.4% uninsured rate sits slightly above the state average, but the real challenge is access: only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve a population managing significant chronic disease. Mental health support is more limited too, with just 93 providers per 100,000, below the state capacity needed.

Insurance is the foundation for care

Uninsured residents in Van Buren County should explore healthcare.gov and Arkansas Medicaid options immediately to secure coverage and reach available providers. With provider scarcity, telehealth and nurse hotlines accessed through insurance plans become especially valuable tools for managing health between in-person visits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Van Buren County, AR?
Van Buren County has a health score of 29/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #35 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 Van Buren County?
Life expectancy in Van Buren County is 73.9 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Van Buren County above the state average.
How does Van Buren County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Van Buren County's health score of 29/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 73.9 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 10.4% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Van Buren County?
Key health factors for Van Buren County include: life expectancy (73.9 years), uninsured rate (10.4%), and primary care physician access (26:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 93:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Van Buren County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 29/100 ("Below Average"), Van Buren County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.9 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County's health score of 29/100 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.