Quay County Health Data

Quay County, New Mexico

Health Score

24/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.3 yr

State avg 73.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.2%

State avg 10.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

12

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

1398

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Quay County, New Mexico

Quay County Life Expectancy Falls Short Nationally

At 70.3 years, Quay County residents live 2.8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 73.1 years, placing the county in the lower spectrum of American health outcomes. Nearly 24% report poor or fair health, approaching the national average and indicating meaningful chronic disease burden.

Below Average for New Mexico

Quay County's 70.3-year life expectancy falls 3.4 years below New Mexico's state average of 73.7 years, ranking the county in the lower half statewide. The 23.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state typical burden, though not as severely as counties like McKinley.

Challenged Compared to Eastern Peers

Quay County's 70.3-year life expectancy trails nearby Roosevelt County (74.4 years) by 4 years and significantly lags Otero County (74.9 years) to the south. The 4-year disadvantage versus Roosevelt reflects localized health disparities in the state's panhandle regions.

Severe Primary Care Shortage, Strong Mental Health

Quay County has just 12 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in this county set—making routine medical care difficult to access for residents. Strikingly, the county reports 1,398 mental health providers per 100K, an outlier figure that may reflect data anomalies; nonetheless, the 10.2% uninsured rate matches the state average.

Secure Coverage and Seek Local Care

Quay County residents at 10.2% uninsured match the state rate but should explore Healthcare.gov or Medicaid to access available services and mental health support. With limited primary care nearby, having insurance is critical for traveling to distant providers when needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Quay County, NM?
Quay County has a health score of 24/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #26 out of 33 counties in New Mexico (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 Quay County?
Life expectancy in Quay County is 70.3 years. The New Mexico state average is 73.7 years, making Quay County below the state average.
How does Quay County health compare to the New Mexico average?
Quay County's health score of 24/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 70.3 years vs. the state average of 73.7 years. The uninsured rate is 10.2% vs. 10.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Quay County?
Key health factors for Quay County include: life expectancy (70.3 years), uninsured rate (10.2%), and primary care physician access (12:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 1,398:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Quay County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 24/100 ("Below Average"), Quay County faces health challenges compared to other counties in New Mexico. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.3 years. 10.2% 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 Quay County?
Quay County's health score of 24/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 10.2% 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.