Bolivar County Health Data

Bolivar County, Mississippi

Health Score

12/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

67.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

67.0 yr

State avg 70.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.2%

State avg 13.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

50

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

93

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Bolivar County, Mississippi

Bolivar County faces severe life expectancy crisis

Bolivar County's life expectancy of 67.0 years represents a public health emergency—more than 10 years below the U.S. average of 77.3 years. Nearly a quarter of residents (24.6%) report poor or fair health, and the gap to national standards points to deep systemic health inequities.

Lowest life expectancy in Mississippi sample

At 67.0 years, Bolivar County's life expectancy trails Mississippi's 70.9-year state average by 3.9 years—the worst performance in this eight-county analysis. The county requires urgent health system intervention and community-level disease prevention efforts.

Bolivar County stands apart in a struggling region

Bolivar County's 67.0-year life expectancy is drastically lower than every neighboring county in this analysis, including Benton County (70.7 years) and Attala County (71.0 years). The magnitude of this gap demands investigation into specific causes—cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infant mortality, or violence.

Moderate provider supply masks deeper barriers

Bolivar County has 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 93 mental health providers—reasonably robust supply that doesn't fully explain the life expectancy crisis. At 14.2% uninsured, coverage rates match state average, suggesting that access and quality issues run deeper than insurance gaps alone.

Coverage is essential; use it strategically

With 14.2% uninsured and a documented life expectancy crisis, Bolivar County residents must secure health coverage immediately through Mississippi's Health Marketplace or Medicaid and commit to preventive care. Coverage alone won't close a 10-year gap, but it opens doors to screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management that could save lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Bolivar County, MS?
Bolivar County has a health score of 12/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #57 out of 82 counties in Mississippi (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 Bolivar County?
Life expectancy in Bolivar County is 67.0 years. The Mississippi state average is 70.9 years, making Bolivar County below the state average.
How does Bolivar County health compare to the Mississippi average?
Bolivar County's health score of 12/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. Life expectancy is 67.0 years vs. the state average of 70.9 years. The uninsured rate is 14.2% vs. 13.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Bolivar County?
Key health factors for Bolivar County include: life expectancy (67.0 years), uninsured rate (14.2%), and primary care physician access (50:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 93:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bolivar County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 12/100 ("Below Average"), Bolivar County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Mississippi. Residents have a life expectancy of 67.0 years. 14.2% 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 Bolivar County?
Bolivar County's health score of 12/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. The uninsured rate of 14.2% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. 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.