Suffolk County Health Data

Suffolk County, Massachusetts

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

86/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

3.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.1 yr

State avg 79.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

3.1%

State avg 3.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

157

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

1109

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 14.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

62.4

per 100K residentsCDC: 157.4 per 100K

Dentists

10.6

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

42.3

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 Suffolk County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureSuffolkState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity25.2%28.1%37.6%2.9 pts better than state
Diabetes10.1%8.3%11.2%1.8 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure29.4%27.9%33.5%1.5 pts worse than state
Depression22.5%25.1%24.1%2.6 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureSuffolkState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking11.6%11.9%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking19.2%18.7%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity24.7%20.4%27.0%4.3 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureSuffolkState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup79.6%79.3%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.1%69.6%57.3%7.5 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)85.0%82.9%73.3%2.1 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureSuffolkState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.7%17.4%18.6%0.7 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.7%34.8%37.3%near state average

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

Suffolk County mental health provider density exceeds national norms

Health data brief for Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

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

Suffolk County reports 1,109 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This figure is over four times the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county also has a high density of primary care providers, with 157 per 100,000 residents compared to the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 80.1 years, which is higher than both the state average of 79.7 years and the national average of 77 years. However, 17.0% of residents report poor or fair health, which matches the national average but is higher than many neighboring counties. The uninsured rate is 3.1%, which is slightly higher than the state average of 3.0% but significantly lower than the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology for more information.

Get Care in Suffolk County, Massachusetts

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.

Massachusetts General Hospital

ER
5/5
(617) 726-2000
55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Brigham and Women's Hospital

ER
5/5
(617) 732-5500
75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Brigham and Women Faulkner Hospital

ER
5/5
(617) 983-7000
1153 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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 Suffolk County, MA?
Suffolk County has a health score of 86/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #12 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts (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 Suffolk County?
Life expectancy in Suffolk County is 80.1 years. The Massachusetts state average is 79.7 years, making Suffolk County above the state average.
How does Suffolk County health compare to the Massachusetts average?
Suffolk County's health score of 86/100 is below the Massachusetts average of 91/100. Life expectancy is 80.1 years vs. the state average of 79.7 years. The uninsured rate is 3.1% vs. 3.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Suffolk County?
Key health factors for Suffolk County include: life expectancy (80.1 years), uninsured rate (3.1%), and primary care physician access (157:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 1,109:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Suffolk County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 86/100 ("Excellent"), Suffolk County is one of the healthier counties in Massachusetts. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.1 years. 3.1% 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 Suffolk County?
Suffolk County's health score of 86/100 is below the Massachusetts average of 91/100. 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.