Otero County Health Data
Otero County, New Mexico
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
44/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.9 yr
State avg 73.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.3%
State avg 10.2%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
45
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
294
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
21.1%
State avg 22.2%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
10.3
per 100K residentsCDC: 45.2 per 100K
Dentists
1.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
13.2
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 Otero County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.1% | 35.4% | 37.6% | 2.7 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 11.8% | 12.1% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.4% | 31.3% | 33.5% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 24.4% | 23.4% | 24.1% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.7% | 15.0% | 16.3% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 15.6% | 15.3% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.4% | 26.7% | 27.0% | 2.3 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 67.8% | 66.2% | 74.9% | 1.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 58.7% | 57.4% | 57.3% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 70.5% | 68.1% | 73.3% | 2.4 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.5% | 17.6% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 35.4% | 35.5% | 37.3% | near state average |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Otero County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Otero County mental health provider ratio exceeds national median
Health data brief for Otero County, New Mexico.
Otero County has 294 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a ratio that is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county’s primary care provider ratio is 45 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 70. Residents in Otero County have a life expectancy of 74.9 years, which is longer than the New Mexico state average of 73.7 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate in the county is 9.3%, sitting below both the state average of 10.2% and the national average of 10%. Furthermore, 21.1% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Otero 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 →Christus Southern New Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Otero County, NM?
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Why is Otero County healthier than the New Mexico average?
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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.