Breathitt County Health Data

Breathitt County, Kentucky

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

29/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

67.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

67.5 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.7%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

44

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

239

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

26.8%

State avg 23.9%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

44.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 44.3 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

22.3

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 Breathitt County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

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

Health-risk behaviors

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

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBreathittState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%
Dental Visit (past year)49.9%53.9%57.3%4.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)68.4%71.3%73.3%2.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBreathittState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%
Short Sleep Duration42.8%41.7%37.3%1.1 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Breathitt 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

Breathitt County Life Expectancy Nearly Ten Years Below National Average

Health data brief for Breathitt County, Kentucky.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Breathitt County is 67.5 years, which is significantly lower than the Kentucky state average of 72.2 years and nearly a decade shorter than the national average of 77 years. Data shows that 26.8% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. Regarding clinical availability, there are 239 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is close to the national median of 250. Primary care provider availability is 44 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 70. The uninsured rate for the county is 6.7%, slightly below the state average of 7.0% and lower than the national average of 10%. These metrics highlight the current health and provider landscape in the county. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Breathitt 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.

Kentucky River Medical Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(606) 666-6000
540 Jett Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
Critical Access HospitalsProprietary

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 Breathitt County, KY?
Breathitt County has a health score of 29/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #97 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 Breathitt County?
Life expectancy in Breathitt County is 67.5 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making Breathitt County below the state average.
How does Breathitt County health compare to the Kentucky average?
Breathitt County's health score of 29/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 67.5 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 6.7% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Breathitt County?
Key health factors for Breathitt County include: life expectancy (67.5 years), uninsured rate (6.7%), and primary care physician access (44:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 239:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Breathitt County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 29/100 ("Below Average"), Breathitt County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 67.5 years. 6.7% 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 Breathitt County?
Breathitt County's health score of 29/100 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.