Shannon County Health Data

Shannon County, Missouri

Health Score

20/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.6%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

14

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

14

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Shannon County, Missouri

Shannon County faces life expectancy crisis

At 71.7 years, Shannon County residents live 7.1 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years—the second-lowest in this group. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.4%) report poor or fair health, among the highest rates nationally and signaling severe chronic disease prevalence.

Shannon ranks among Missouri's worst

Shannon County's 71.7-year life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 2.6 years, placing it near the bottom of Missouri's 114 counties. The 12.6% uninsured rate matches the state average, but limited providers mean uninsured residents face severe access barriers.

Shannon faces steepest health challenge

Shannon County's 71.7-year life expectancy is the second-lowest among these eight counties, ranking only above Ripley County (68.4 years). The county's 14 primary care providers per 100K is among the lowest regionally, rivaling Ripley's healthcare desert conditions.

Severe provider shortage compounds crisis

Shannon County's 14 primary care providers per 100K is critically low, and its 14 mental health providers per 100K is the worst in this group. Combined with 24.4% reporting poor/fair health, Shannon County faces a perfect storm: limited healthcare capacity meeting desperate community health needs.

Shannon residents need immediate action

With severe provider shortages and high poor health rates, Shannon County residents must secure coverage and seek care proactively. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit healthcare.gov to find coverage, and ask your provider about telehealth options to overcome distance barriers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Shannon County, MO?
Shannon County has a health score of 20/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #104 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 Shannon County?
Life expectancy in Shannon County is 71.7 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Shannon County below the state average.
How does Shannon County health compare to the Missouri average?
Shannon County's health score of 20/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 12.6% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Shannon County?
Key health factors for Shannon County include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (12.6%), and primary care physician access (14:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 14:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Shannon County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 20/100 ("Below Average"), Shannon County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 years. 12.6% 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 Shannon County?
Shannon County's health score of 20/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 12.6% 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.