Rapides Parish Health Data

Rapides Parish, Louisiana

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

32/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.5 yr

State avg 72.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 8.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

84

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

589

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.6%

State avg 24.2%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

16.3

per 100K residentsCDC: 83.9 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

7.8

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 Rapides Parish differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureRapides ParishState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.7%42.2%37.6%1.5 pts better than state
Diabetes13.4%14.2%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure39.9%41.2%33.5%1.3 pts better than state
Depression28.2%27.7%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureRapides ParishState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking19.1%20.1%16.3%1.0 pts better than state
Binge Drinking16.7%17.9%17.8%1.2 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity30.3%32.7%27.0%2.4 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureRapides ParishState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup80.3%80.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)54.2%53.1%57.3%1.1 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)79.0%77.1%73.3%1.9 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureRapides ParishState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress21.1%21.2%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration41.8%41.8%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Rapides Parish nationally on physical inactivity.

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

Data Story

Mental health provider availability in Rapides Parish doubles national median

Health data brief for Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Rapides Parish has 589 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is more than double the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider availability is also higher than the national median, at 84 per 100,000 residents compared to 70 per 100,000. The uninsured rate is 7.9%, which is lower than the Louisiana state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the parish is 70.5 years, which is lower than the state average of 72.5 years and the national average of 77 years. The rate of residents reporting poor or fair health is 22.6%, higher than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

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.

Christus St Frances Cabrini Hospital

ER
3/5
(318) 487-1122
3330 Masonic Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Rapides Regional Medical Center

ER
2/5
(318) 769-3000
211 4th Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

Alexandria Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(318) 386-8110
5900 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria, LA 71303
Acute Care 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 Rapides Parish, LA?
Rapides Parish has a health score of 32/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #37 out of 64 counties in Louisiana (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 Rapides Parish?
Life expectancy in Rapides Parish is 70.5 years. The Louisiana state average is 72.5 years, making Rapides Parish below the state average.
How does Rapides Parish health compare to the Louisiana average?
Rapides Parish's health score of 32/100 is below the Louisiana average of 36/100. Life expectancy is 70.5 years vs. the state average of 72.5 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 8.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Rapides Parish?
Key health factors for Rapides Parish include: life expectancy (70.5 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (84:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 589:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Rapides Parish a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 32/100 ("Below Average"), Rapides Parish faces health challenges compared to other counties in Louisiana. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.5 years. 7.9% 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 Rapides Parish?
Rapides Parish's health score of 32/100 is below the Louisiana average of 36/100. 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.