Madison County Health Data
Madison County, Missouri
Health Score
35/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.3 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.8%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
32
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
173
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Madison County, Missouri
Madison County falls short on longevity
At 72.3 years, Madison County residents live 4.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a significant gap that signals health system challenges. Nearly 1 in 5 (19.8%) report poor or fair health, exceeding national rates and suggesting high chronic disease burden. This 4-year longevity gap requires urgent action on prevention, access, and social determinants.
Missouri's lowest life expectancy county
Madison County's 72.3-year life expectancy ranks nearly 2 years below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, making it among the state's most health-challenged counties. The 19.8% poor/fair health rate indicates persistent disease prevalence and healthcare barriers. This disparity reflects cumulative disadvantages in income, education, and healthcare infrastructure that demand targeted intervention.
Most vulnerable in the regional cluster
Madison County's 72.3-year life expectancy is 3.8 years below neighboring Lincoln County (75.7 years) and 3.7 years behind Livingston County (76.1 years)—one of the region's starkest disparities. The 19.8% poor/fair health rate ranks near McDonald County (25.4%), indicating similar underlying hardships. Despite access to 173 mental health providers per 100K—the highest in the cluster—physical health remains precarious, suggesting untreated behavioral health drives poor physical outcomes.
Surprisingly strong mental health access, weak primary care
Madison County's 10.8% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 12.5%, yet only 32 primary care providers per 100K serve the population—less than half the national standard. Paradoxically, the county leads the region with 173 mental health providers per 100K, suggesting siloed healthcare where psychiatric services exist without complementary medical care. This mismatch may reflect historical investment or underutilized capacity.
Health coverage is a starting point
Madison County's health crisis reflects deeper barriers than insurance alone: 1 in 10 residents lack coverage, but structural issues—transportation, provider shortages, poverty—also limit care. Start by ensuring you have insurance at Healthcare.gov; then connect with community health centers that offer sliding-scale fees and transportation assistance. Coverage plus community support can help close Madison County's 4-year longevity gap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.