Union County Health Data

Union County, New Mexico

Health Score

27/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

State avg 73.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.1%

State avg 10.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

24

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

858

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Union County, New Mexico

Union slightly below national life expectancy

Union County residents live 73.8 years on average, about 5 years short of the U.S. life expectancy of 79 years. The 24.8% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the national 15% average, indicating substantial chronic disease and health management gaps.

Below-average health, high uninsured rate

Union's 73.8-year life expectancy nearly matches New Mexico's 73.7-year average, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier. However, the 24.8% poor/fair health rate and 12.1% uninsured rate both exceed state averages, suggesting compounded barriers to healthcare access and wellness.

Limited provider access in isolated county

Union's 73.8-year life expectancy ranks below most regional peers except Socorro (71.0 years) and Sierra (69.6 years), trailing Taos and Sandoval significantly. The county's critical shortage of 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than a quarter of Santa Fe's supply—isolates residents from preventive care.

Severe provider shortage meets high uninsured rate

Union's 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent one of the state's most severe shortages, forcing residents to travel across county lines for care. The 12.1% uninsured rate—tied with Santa Fe despite vastly different incomes—suggests affordability and enrollment barriers compound the provider access crisis.

Take control with health insurance

More than 1 in 8 Union County residents lack coverage, making it impossible to manage the chronic disease affecting nearly a quarter of the population. Visit Healthcare.gov or call New Mexico's marketplace to explore Medicaid, subsidized plans, and resources—enrollment is your first step toward care access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Union County, NM?
Union County has a health score of 27/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #23 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 Union County?
Life expectancy in Union County is 73.8 years. The New Mexico state average is 73.7 years, making Union County above the state average.
How does Union County health compare to the New Mexico average?
Union County's health score of 27/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 73.8 years vs. the state average of 73.7 years. The uninsured rate is 12.1% vs. 10.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Union County?
Key health factors for Union County include: life expectancy (73.8 years), uninsured rate (12.1%), and primary care physician access (24:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 858:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Union County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 27/100 ("Below Average"), Union County faces health challenges compared to other counties in New Mexico. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.8 years. 12.1% 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 Union County?
Union County's health score of 27/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 12.1% 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.