Vance County Health Data
Vance County, North Carolina
Health Score
18/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
70.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
70.1 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.1%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
38
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
298
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Vance County, North Carolina
Vance faces severe health challenges
Vance County residents live just 70.1 years, nearly 3.3 years below the U.S. average of 73.4 and 4.3 years below North Carolina's 74.4 years. Nearly one in four (23.1%) report poor or fair health, reflecting a county struggling with chronic disease, preventable illness, and early mortality. These statistics demand urgent community and healthcare attention.
NC's lowest life expectancy county
Vance's 70.1-year life expectancy ranks at the bottom of North Carolina, trailing the state average by 4.3 years. Its 23.1% poor/fair health rate is the highest among the eight profiled counties and signals widespread health distress. Vance faces compounding challenges: premature mortality, chronic disease burden, and limited healthcare access.
Isolated by geography and health
Vance's 70.1 years is dramatically lower than nearby Watauga (79.4 years) and Warren (73.0 years), reflecting regional disparities in health outcomes. However, Vance has invested in mental health: 298 providers per 100,000 residents is the second-highest among the eight counties. Primary care coverage lags at just 38 providers per 100,000, creating a mental health surplus without adequate primary care foundation.
Uninsured and under-resourced
Vance's 13.1% uninsured rate tops North Carolina's average of 12.5%, meaning roughly 2,200 residents lack coverage. With only 38 primary care providers per 100,000—less than half the Union County rate—residents face significant barriers to preventive care and early disease detection. The combination of uninsured status and sparse primary care access fuels the county's poor health outcomes.
Coverage is your first step forward
With 13.1% uninsured and limited primary care access, getting covered through Medicaid or Marketplace plans is critical for Vance residents. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore coverage options tailored to your income. Insurance is your gateway to the preventive care and routine screenings that can add years to your life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.