Panola County Health Data

Panola County, Mississippi

Health Score

11/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.5 yr

State avg 70.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.3%

State avg 13.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

21

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

113

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Panola County, Mississippi

Life expectancy moderately below national average

Panola County residents reach 70.5 years on average, trailing the U.S. median of 76.1 years by 5.6 years. More than one in four (27.6%) report fair or poor health, nearly 50% higher than the national 18% average, suggesting persistent chronic disease and limited preventive care access.

Slightly below state average, moderate insured rate

Panola's 70.5-year life expectancy falls just shy of Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, marking a moderate outcome among the eight counties. Its 14.3% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 13.9%, meaning one in seven residents lack coverage to manage chronic conditions or access preventive services.

Middle performer in regional context

Panola's 70.5-year life expectancy ranks between the struggling Neshoba (66.5 years) and the exceptional Oktibbeha (75.2 years), with performance comparable to Pearl River (70.7 years). Its 21 primary care providers per 100,000 remain below ideal levels, and mental health capacity at 113 per 100,000 lags peer counties like Noxubee (222).

Modest provider capacity meets uninsured gap

Panola has 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 113 mental health specialists per 100,000—respectable but not robust compared to Oktibbeha or Noxubee. The 14.3% uninsured rate means thousands lack consistent access to these limited providers, forcing reliance on urgent care and emergency departments.

Health coverage unlocks available resources

Panola's 14.3% uninsured rate represents a direct barrier to the mental health and primary care capacity the county does offer—coverage is the key that unlocks it. Visit healthcare.gov or your local health department to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans; enrollment ensures you can access preventive services before conditions become emergencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Panola County, MS?
Panola County has a health score of 11/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #64 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 Panola County?
Life expectancy in Panola County is 70.5 years. The Mississippi state average is 70.9 years, making Panola County below the state average.
How does Panola County health compare to the Mississippi average?
Panola County's health score of 11/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. Life expectancy is 70.5 years vs. the state average of 70.9 years. The uninsured rate is 14.3% vs. 13.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Panola County?
Key health factors for Panola County include: life expectancy (70.5 years), uninsured rate (14.3%), and primary care physician access (21:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 113:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Panola County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 11/100 ("Below Average"), Panola County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Mississippi. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.5 years. 14.3% 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 Panola County?
Panola County's health score of 11/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. The uninsured rate of 14.3% 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.