Mississippi County Health Data

Mississippi County, Missouri

Health Score

9/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

15.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.0 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

15.0%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

16

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

59

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Mississippi County, Missouri

Life expectancy crisis in Mississippi

At just 70.0 years, Mississippi County residents face a devastating 4.4-year gap compared to the U.S. average of 74.4 years. The county's 28.8% poor or fair health rate—among America's highest—reflects an acute public health crisis driven by chronic disease, poverty, and limited healthcare access.

Missouri's poorest health outcomes

Mississippi County ranks among Missouri's lowest on life expectancy, trailing the state average of 74.3 years by 4.3 years. The county's 28.8% poor or fair health rate far exceeds Missouri's typical performance, signaling a community in health distress.

Disparities dwarf surrounding counties

Mississippi's 70.0-year life expectancy is 6.1 years shorter than neighboring Monroe County (76.1 years) and 4.9 years below New Madrid County (69.0 years), a striking regional gap. With only 16 primary care providers per 100K, Mississippi faces a severe physician shortage compared to most neighboring counties.

High uninsurance fuels health crisis

Mississippi's 15.0% uninsured rate combines with just 16 primary care providers per 100K—creating a barrier where many residents lack both coverage and physician access. Mental health support is available at 59 per 100K, yet behavioral health alone cannot address the structural health disparities driving early mortality.

Health insurance can save your life

In Mississippi County, coverage means access to the preventive care and treatment that can add years to your life expectancy. Apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately at healthcare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE—every month without insurance puts your health at risk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Mississippi County, MO?
Mississippi County has a health score of 9/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #115 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 Mississippi County?
Life expectancy in Mississippi County is 70.0 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Mississippi County below the state average.
How does Mississippi County health compare to the Missouri average?
Mississippi County's health score of 9/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 70.0 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 15.0% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Mississippi County?
Key health factors for Mississippi County include: life expectancy (70.0 years), uninsured rate (15.0%), and primary care physician access (16:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 59:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mississippi County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 9/100 ("Below Average"), Mississippi County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.0 years. 15.0% 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 Mississippi County?
Mississippi County's health score of 9/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 15.0% 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.