Lea County Health Data
Lea County, New Mexico
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
21/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.6 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.6 yr
State avg 73.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.3%
State avg 10.2%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
30
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
130
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
24.4%
State avg 22.2%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
17.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 30.1 per 100K
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
16.4
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 Lea County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Lea | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 37.3% | 35.4% | 37.6% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 12.1% | 12.1% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.7% | 31.3% | 33.5% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 21.5% | 23.4% | 24.1% | 1.9 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Lea | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.1% | 15.0% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 15.8% | 15.3% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 30.2% | 26.7% | 27.0% | 3.5 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Lea | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 65.2% | 66.2% | 74.9% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 54.0% | 57.4% | 57.3% | 3.4 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 67.2% | 68.1% | 73.3% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Lea | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.5% | 17.6% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.7% | 35.5% | 37.3% | 2.8 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Lea County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Uninsured Rate in Lea County Higher Than State Average
Health data brief for Lea County, New Mexico.
Lea County reports an uninsured rate of 13.3%, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 10.2% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy for residents is 72.6 years, shorter than the state average of 73.7 years and the national average of 77 years. The county also features 30 primary care providers and 130 mental health providers per 100,000 people, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250 providers, respectively. Approximately 24.4% of residents report poor or fair health status, a higher percentage than the national average of 17%. These statistics illustrate the differences in insurance coverage and clinical provider availability within the county compared to state and national benchmarks. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Lea County, New Mexico
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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital
ERNor-lea Hospital District
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Lea County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in New Mexico.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Lea County, NM?
What is the life expectancy in Lea County?
How does Lea County health compare to the New Mexico average?
What health factors affect Lea County?
Is Lea County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Lea County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.