Buena Vista County Health Data
Buena Vista County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
64/100
Average
Life Expectancy
79.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.4 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.7%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
53
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
78
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
18.4%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
4.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 53.0 per 100K
Dentists
14.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
14.5
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 Buena Vista County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Buena Vista | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.9% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 11.7% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.6% | 31.1% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 18.3% | 21.5% | 24.1% | 3.2 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Buena Vista | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.2% | 16.2% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 18.8% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 3.7 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 29.7% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Buena Vista | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 75.4% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 62.4% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 3.2 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 77.9% | 77.4% | 73.3% | near state average |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Buena Vista | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.9% | 17.8% | 18.6% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 34.9% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Buena Vista County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Buena Vista County Mental Health Provider Ratio Trails National Median
Health data brief for Buena Vista County, Iowa.
Buena Vista County has 78 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a ratio significantly lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider density is also lower than national figures, with 53 providers per 100,000 residents compared to the median of 70. The uninsured rate in the county is 9.7%, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and nearly aligns with the national average of 10%. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.4 years, which is longer than the state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Data indicates that 18.4% of adults report being in poor or fair health, which is higher than the national average of 17%. These metrics highlight specific local differences in health professional availability and insurance status. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology for data collection details.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Buena Vista County, Iowa
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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Buena Vista Regional Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Buena Vista County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Buena Vista County, IA?
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How does Buena Vista County health compare to the Iowa average?
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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.