Sunflower County Health Data

Sunflower County, Mississippi

CDC County Health Rankings

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

Poor / Fair Health

29.7%

State avg 25.5%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

7.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 35.4 per 100K

Dentists

7.9

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

15.8

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 Sunflower County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureSunflowerState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity48.9%42.8%37.6%6.1 pts worse than state
Diabetes18.3%14.8%11.2%3.5 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure49.5%43.5%33.5%6.0 pts worse than state
Depression17.2%20.1%24.1%2.9 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureSunflowerState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking21.9%19.4%16.3%2.5 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking12.4%14.1%17.8%1.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity41.5%35.8%27.0%5.7 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureSunflowerState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup82.0%80.0%74.9%2.0 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)6.3%7.9%57.3%1.6 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.3%72.6%73.3%0.7 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureSunflowerState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.2%18.9%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration42.3%40.0%37.3%2.3 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Sunflower County nationally on obesity.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Sunflower County life expectancy nearly ten years lower than national average

Health data brief for Sunflower County, Mississippi.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

The life expectancy in Sunflower County is 67.2 years, which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 70.9 years and significantly lower than the national average of 77 years. Health status reports show that 29.7% of residents describe their health as poor or fair, exceeding the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 13.3%, which is lower than the state average of 13.9% but higher than the national average of 10%. There are 35 primary care providers and 37 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Both figures are lower than the national medians of 70 primary care providers and 250 mental health providers per 100,000. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Sunflower County, Mississippi

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.

South Sunflower County Hospital

ER
2/5
(662) 887-5235
121 East Baker Street, Indianola, MS 38751
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Local

North Sunflower Medical Center Cah

ER
1/5
(662) 756-2711
840 North Oak Avenue, Ruleville, MS 38771
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Local

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 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.

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.