Russell County Health Data

Russell County, Kentucky

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

30/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.1 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.5%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

39

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

192

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

29.3%

State avg 23.9%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

27.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 38.6 per 100K

Dentists

11.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

49.7

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 Russell County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

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

Health-risk behaviors

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

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureRussellState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%
Dental Visit (past year)47.1%53.9%57.3%6.8 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)66.9%71.3%73.3%4.4 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureRussellState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%
Short Sleep Duration43.8%41.7%37.3%2.1 pts worse than state

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

Poor Health Ratings in Russell County Far Exceed National Average

Health data brief for Russell County, Kentucky.

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

In Russell County, 29.3% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a figure that is significantly higher than the national average of 17%. This self-reported health rating is the most distinctive data point for the county. Life expectancy is 72.1 years, which is just below the Kentucky state average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 7.5%, which is higher than the state average of 7.0% but lower than the national average of 10%. Clinical availability includes 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 192 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250, respectively. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Russell 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.

Russell County Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(270) 866-4141
153 Dowell Road, Russell Springs, KY 42642
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Local

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 Russell County, KY?
Russell County has a health score of 30/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #89 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 Russell County?
Life expectancy in Russell County is 72.1 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making Russell County below the state average.
How does Russell County health compare to the Kentucky average?
Russell County's health score of 30/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 72.1 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.5% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Russell County?
Key health factors for Russell County include: life expectancy (72.1 years), uninsured rate (7.5%), and primary care physician access (39:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 192:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Russell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 30/100 ("Below Average"), Russell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.1 years. 7.5% 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 Russell County?
Russell County's health score of 30/100 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.