Cherokee County Health Data
Cherokee County, Kansas
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
37/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.1 yr
State avg 75.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.1%
State avg 11.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
21
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
184
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
18.5%
State avg 16.7%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
15.6
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 Cherokee County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 43.7% | 38.9% | 37.6% | 4.8 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 10.6% | 10.2% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.8% | 31.8% | 33.5% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 23.8% | 21.8% | 24.1% | 2.0 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 19.3% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 3.0 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.8% | 17.7% | 17.8% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.8% | 27.3% | 27.0% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.7% | 74.1% | 74.9% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 58.3% | 61.1% | 57.3% | 2.8 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 70.8% | 71.7% | 73.3% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.3% | 17.7% | 18.6% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 37.0% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Cherokee County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Primary Care Provider Availability in Cherokee County
Health data brief for Cherokee County, Kansas.
Cherokee County reports 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is less than one-third of the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county's life expectancy is 72.1 years, a figure that is lower than the Kansas average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The mental health provider ratio stands at 184 per 100,000 residents, below the national median of 250. Approximately 11.1% of the county is uninsured, a rate slightly lower than the state average of 11.5% but higher than the national 10% average. Furthermore, 18.5% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, compared to the 17% national average. These data points reflect the current healthcare workforce and health outcome landscape in the region. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Cherokee County, Kansas
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 →Mercy Specialty Hospital Southeast Kansas
Mercy Hospital Columbus
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Cherokee County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Cherokee County, KS?
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How does Cherokee County health compare to the Kansas 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.