Des Moines County Health Data
Des Moines County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
76/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
75.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.9 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.0%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
75
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
264
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
16.0%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
15.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 75.3 per 100K
Dentists
5.2
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
20.7
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 Des Moines County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Des Moines | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 34.8% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 4.7 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.8% | 9.8% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.8% | 31.1% | 33.5% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Depression | 22.5% | 21.5% | 24.1% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Des Moines | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.5% | 16.2% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 22.3% | 22.5% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.5% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Des Moines | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.8% | 75.1% | 74.9% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 65.2% | 65.6% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.3% | 77.4% | 73.3% | 3.1 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Des Moines | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.2% | 17.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.6% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.1 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Des Moines County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Des Moines County Life Expectancy Shorter Than Iowa Average
Health data brief for Des Moines County, Iowa.
Des Moines County residents have a life expectancy of 75.9 years, which is shorter than the state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Approximately 16.0% of residents report poor or fair health, which is close to the national median of 17%. The county’s uninsured rate of 5.0% is lower than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and the national average of 10%. Primary care access is recorded at 75 providers per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The mental health provider ratio is 264 per 100,000, exceeding the national median of 250 per 100,000. These metrics highlight the health environment and provider landscape of the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Des Moines 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 →Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Des Moines County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Des Moines County, IA?
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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.