Buena Vista County Health Data
Buena Vista County, Iowa
Health 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
Data Story
About Health in Buena Vista County, Iowa
Buena Vista life expectancy exceeds national average
At 79.4 years, Buena Vista County residents outlive the U.S. average of 78.9 years by nearly half a year. However, 18.4% of residents report poor or fair health—notably higher than the national 15.1%—signaling a gap between longevity and daily wellness.
Iowa's uninsured crisis hits Buena Vista hardest
Buena Vista County ranks among Iowa's lowest on health outcomes, with 18.4% reporting poor/fair health compared to the state average. Most alarming, the county's 9.7% uninsured rate nearly doubles Iowa's 5.7% average, leaving nearly 1 in 10 residents without insurance protection.
Uninsured rate strains regional comparison
Buena Vista's 9.7% uninsured rate far exceeds neighboring counties like Carroll (4.6%), Calhoun (5.6%), and Cedar (4.5%), signaling unique economic or demographic pressures. The poor/fair health rate of 18.4% also stands well above regional peers, suggesting concentrated health challenges.
Provider access masks coverage gaps
While Buena Vista offers 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county's critical gap lies in mental health support with just 78 providers per 100,000—far below state needs. The real barrier isn't provider scarcity but affordability: nearly 1 in 10 residents lack insurance to pay for the care available.
Break the uninsured cycle in Buena Vista
With 9.7% uninsured, Buena Vista residents face significantly higher barriers to care—but relief is available through Healthcare.gov, Iowa Medicaid, and community health centers offering sliding-scale fees. Starting coverage today prevents medical debt and ensures access to the providers already available in your county.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.