Sunflower County Health Data

Sunflower County, Mississippi

Health Score

10/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

67.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

67.2 yr

State avg 70.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.3%

State avg 13.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

35

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

37

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Sunflower County, Mississippi

Sunflower County faces severe health crisis

At 67.2 years, Sunflower County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.4 years by more than 9 years—among the lowest in Mississippi and nationally concerning. Nearly 30% of residents report poor or fair health, more than double the national average of about 15%, signaling widespread chronic disease and health disparity.

Sunflower County ranks lowest in state health

Sunflower County's 67.2-year life expectancy falls nearly 4 years below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it among the state's unhealthiest counties. The 29.7% poor or fair health rate is the highest among all eight counties analyzed, reflecting entrenched poverty and limited healthcare infrastructure.

Lowest life expectancy among peer counties

Sunflower County's 67.2-year life expectancy significantly trails all comparable counties, including Tunica (66.6 years—the only lower county), Stone County (71.5 years), and Smith County (72.8 years). Despite having 35 primary care and 37 mental health providers per 100,000, Sunflower's poor outcomes suggest barriers beyond provider availability, including poverty and patient access.

Insurance coverage not enough to offset barriers

Sunflower County's 13.3% uninsured rate is among the lowest in this group, yet provider access (35 primary care per 100,000) doesn't translate into better health—suggesting transportation, cost, and chronic poverty create barriers even for insured residents. The disconnect points to deeper structural health inequities beyond insurance coverage.

Take the first step: verify your coverage

Even with strong provider numbers locally, having verified health insurance removes financial barriers to seeking care. If you're among Sunflower County's uninsured 13.3%, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the county health department to explore Medicaid or marketplace plans today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Sunflower County, MS?
Sunflower County has a health score of 10/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #71 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 Sunflower County?
Life expectancy in Sunflower County is 67.2 years. The Mississippi state average is 70.9 years, making Sunflower County below the state average.
How does Sunflower County health compare to the Mississippi average?
Sunflower County's health score of 10/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. Life expectancy is 67.2 years vs. the state average of 70.9 years. The uninsured rate is 13.3% vs. 13.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Sunflower County?
Key health factors for Sunflower County include: life expectancy (67.2 years), uninsured rate (13.3%), and primary care physician access (35:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 37:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Sunflower County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 10/100 ("Below Average"), Sunflower County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Mississippi. Residents have a life expectancy of 67.2 years. 13.3% 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 Sunflower County?
Sunflower County's health score of 10/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. The uninsured rate of 13.3% 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.