Bates County Health Data

Bates County, Missouri

Health Score

38/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.7 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

12

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

74

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Bates County, Missouri

Bates life expectancy near U.S. average

Bates County's 74.7-year life expectancy is marginally above the U.S. average of 74.4 years, representing typical American longevity. However, 19.2% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below national rates, suggesting Bates residents experience relatively average health quality.

Bates slightly above Missouri median

Bates's 74.7-year life expectancy modestly exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. Its 13.4% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 12.5%, indicating notable coverage gaps.

Stable health relative to region

Bates's 74.7-year life expectancy falls between Audrain/Atchison (73.9) and Adair (75.9), placing it as a regional mid-performer. Its 19.2% poor/fair health rate is among the region's better metrics, suggesting relatively stable population health.

Severe provider shortage despite modest coverage

Bates has just 12 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—one of Missouri's lowest supplies—making routine care extremely difficult to access. With 13.4% uninsured, one in seven residents lack coverage, intensifying the access crisis in a provider-sparse county.

Coverage opens doors to care.

Bates's extreme primary care shortage (12 per 100K) means insurance is just the first step—but it's a critical one. If you're among the 13.4% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov immediately to secure coverage and discuss telehealth or regional referral options with your doctor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Bates County, MO?
Bates County has a health score of 38/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #49 out of 115 counties in Missouri (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 Bates County?
Life expectancy in Bates County is 74.7 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Bates County above the state average.
How does Bates County health compare to the Missouri average?
Bates County's health score of 38/100 is above the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 74.7 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 13.4% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Bates County?
Key health factors for Bates County include: life expectancy (74.7 years), uninsured rate (13.4%), and primary care physician access (12:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 74:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bates County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 38/100 ("Below Average"), Bates County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.7 years. 13.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Bates County healthier than the Missouri average?
Bates County's health score of 38/100 exceeds the Missouri average of 38/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Bates County has better primary care access (12:1 ratio) than the state average (43:1).

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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.