Van Buren County Health Data
Van Buren County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
63/100
Average
Life Expectancy
77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.5 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.3%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
83
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
41
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
18.1%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
41.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 82.8 per 100K
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
27.6
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 Van Buren County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Van Buren | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 39.5% | 39.5% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 10.5% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.8% | 31.1% | 33.5% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 22.9% | 21.5% | 24.1% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Van Buren | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 19.2% | 16.2% | 16.3% | 3.0 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 21.9% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.3% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 2.2 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Van Buren | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.2% | 75.1% | 74.9% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 61.6% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 4.0 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 72.0% | 77.4% | 73.3% | 5.4 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Van Buren | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.1% | 17.8% | 18.6% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 34.8% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Van Buren County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental Health Provider Access Lags in Van Buren County
Health data brief for Van Buren County, Iowa.
Van Buren County records a mental health provider ratio of 41 per 100,000 residents, a figure significantly below the national median of 250 per 100,000. This disparity in specialist availability exists alongside a primary care ratio of 83 providers per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 77.5 years, aligning closely with the Iowa state average of 77.7 years and the national figure of approximately 77 years. Additionally, 18.1% of adults in the county report being in poor or fair health, slightly exceeding the national benchmark of 17%. The uninsured rate stands at 8.3%, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 5.7% but remains below the national average of 10%. Data regarding these health indicators are updated periodically by federal agencies. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Van Buren 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
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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.