Letcher County Health Data
Letcher County, Kentucky
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
30/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
67.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
67.7 yr
State avg 72.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
57
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
93
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
24.9%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
61.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 56.5 per 100K
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
23.6
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 Letcher County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Letcher | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | — | — | 37.6% | — |
| Diabetes | — | — | 11.2% | — |
| High Blood Pressure | — | — | 33.5% | — |
| Depression | — | — | 24.1% | — |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Letcher | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | — | — | 16.3% | — |
| Binge Drinking | — | — | 17.8% | — |
| Physical Inactivity | — | — | 27.0% | — |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Letcher | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | — | — | 74.9% | — |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 53.1% | 53.9% | 57.3% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 64.6% | 71.3% | 73.3% | 6.7 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Letcher | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | — | — | 18.6% | — |
| Short Sleep Duration | 43.8% | 41.7% | 37.3% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Letcher 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
Letcher County Life Expectancy Shorter Than National Average
Health data brief for Letcher County, Kentucky.
Life expectancy in Letcher County is 67.7 years, which is nearly a decade shorter than the national average of 77 years and lower than the Kentucky average of 72.2 years. The county reports that 24.9% of residents are in poor or fair health, surpassing the national average of 17%. Regarding healthcare professionals, there are 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability stands at 93 per 100,000 residents, while the national median is 250. The uninsured rate is 7.1%, which is comparable to the state average of 7.0% and lower than the national average of 10%. These statistics provide a snapshot of the health and provider landscape within the county according to the latest administrative records. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Letcher 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Whitesburg Arh Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Letcher County residents.
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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.