Bell County Health Data

Bell County, Kentucky

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

27/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

67.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

67.3 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.0%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

50

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

60

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

28.3%

State avg 23.9%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

67.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 50.3 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

37.7

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 Bell County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.6%
Diabetes11.2%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Depression24.1%

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.3%
Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity27.0%

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%
Dental Visit (past year)48.8%53.9%57.3%5.1 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)67.6%71.3%73.3%3.7 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%
Short Sleep Duration42.5%41.7%37.3%0.8 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bell County nationally on dental visit (past year).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Over 28 percent of Bell County adults report poor health

Health data brief for Bell County, Kentucky.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Bell County, 28.3% of adults report being in poor or fair health, which is significantly higher than the national average of 17%. The life expectancy for residents is 67.3 years, which is shorter than the Kentucky average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. The county has 50 primary care providers and 60 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250 respectively. The uninsured rate is 7.0%, which is exactly the same as the Kentucky average and lower than the national average of 10%. While the insurance coverage rate matches the state norm, the reported health status and life expectancy figures show higher divergence from national benchmarks. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Bell County, Kentucky

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.

Middlesboro Arh Hospital

ER
1/5
(606) 242-1101
3600 West Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Pineville Community Health Center, Inc

ER
1/5
(606) 337-3051
850 Riverview Avenue, Pineville, KY 40977
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Bell County, KY?
Bell County has a health score of 27/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #109 out of 120 counties in Kentucky (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Bell County?
Life expectancy in Bell County is 67.3 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making Bell County below the state average.
How does Bell County health compare to the Kentucky average?
Bell County's health score of 27/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 67.3 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.0% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Bell County?
Key health factors for Bell County include: life expectancy (67.3 years), uninsured rate (7.0%), and primary care physician access (50:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 60:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 27/100 ("Below Average"), Bell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 67.3 years. 7.0% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Bell County?
Bell County's health score of 27/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.