Van Buren County Health Data

Van Buren County, Michigan

Health Score

55/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

State avg 76.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.3%

State avg 6.4%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

50

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

153

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Van Buren County, Michigan

Van Buren Life Expectancy Below U.S. Baseline

At 75.5 years, Van Buren County residents live about 3.5 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. The 20.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 15%, reflecting significant health challenges. Van Buren ranks among the more stressed health communities in Michigan.

Van Buren Below Michigan State Average

Van Buren's life expectancy of 75.5 years is 0.8 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. The 20.3% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than the state profile. Van Buren performs in the lower half of Michigan counties on both health measures.

Van Buren Has Moderate Provider Access

With 50 primary care providers per 100K, Van Buren has better primary care availability than Sanilac (32), Tuscola (30), or St. Joseph (28). However, its 153 mental health providers per 100K are the lowest in this dataset—less than half the state median. Mental health support is a critical gap despite adequate primary care.

Higher Uninsured Rate, Mental Health Desert

Van Buren's 7.3% uninsured rate is among the highest in this group, exceeding Michigan's 6.4% average. While primary care availability is reasonable at 50 per 100K, mental health providers at 153 per 100K are scarce. Uninsured residents face particular hardship accessing behavioral health services.

Coverage and Mental Health Support Await

Van Buren's 7.3% uninsured population should act quickly to enroll through Medicaid or ACA plans—many include mental health benefits. Call 1-800-867-9272 or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance today. Insured residents should explore telehealth mental health options to bridge the county's severe mental health provider shortage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Van Buren County, MI?
Van Buren County has a health score of 55/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #75 out of 83 counties in Michigan (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 Van Buren County?
Life expectancy in Van Buren County is 75.5 years. The Michigan state average is 76.3 years, making Van Buren County below the state average.
How does Van Buren County health compare to the Michigan average?
Van Buren County's health score of 55/100 is below the Michigan average of 69/100. Life expectancy is 75.5 years vs. the state average of 76.3 years. The uninsured rate is 7.3% vs. 6.4% statewide.
What health factors affect Van Buren County?
Key health factors for Van Buren County include: life expectancy (75.5 years), uninsured rate (7.3%), and primary care physician access (50:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 153:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Van Buren County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 55/100 ("Below Average"), Van Buren County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Michigan. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.5 years. 7.3% 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County's health score of 55/100 is below the Michigan average of 69/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.